五十步笑百步

五十步笑百步:

Literally means:

those who retreated 50 paces laughed at those who retreated 100 paces

Actually means:

one who retreats 50 paces mocks one who retreats 100; the pot calls the kettle black

It originally refers to those soldiers in a battle whose army was defeated and were fleeing in panic. Those who retreated 50 paces laughed at those who retreated 100 paces.

It figuratively means that a person who makes a mistake laughs at another person who makes a similar but a bit more serious mistake.

It also means that the mistakes or short comings two persons make or have are the same in nature, though different in degree. It carries a tone of sarcasm. Derogatory.

原指在打了败仗惊慌逃跑的人当中，跑了五十步的嘲笑跑了一百步的。

比喻一个人的错误或缺点跟别人一样，却因自己的程度较轻而嘲笑程度较重的。

也比喻两个人的错误或缺点性质一样，只是程度上略有差别。具有讽刺意味。具有贬义色彩。