- lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect
- to stress the incidental over the fundamental
- to put the cart before the horse
Example sentences
不要把本末倒置。
Don't put the cart before the horse.
“turn things inside out (or upside down); take the branch for the root”
本：树根；末：树梢；置：放。比喻把主次、轻重的位置弄颠倒了。
Origin 金·无名氏《绥德州新学记》：“然非知治之审，则未尝不本末倒置。”
Example 该简者你却详而不简，该详者你又简而不详。～，批评你还不愿意？乱弹琴！（曲波《林海雪原》一二）