小作怡情,大作伤身

xiǎo zuō yí qíng , dà zuō shāng shēn

an occasional display of histrionics can add a playful element to a relationship, but overdoing it can lead to a breakup (admonishment derived from the saying 小酌怡情,大酌傷身|小酌怡情,大酌伤身[xiao3 zhuo2 yi2 qing2 , da4 zhuo2 shang1 shen1])

xiǎo

small

zuō

(bound form) worker

harmony

qíng

(bound form) feelings; emotion; sentiment; passion

,

big; large; great

zuō

(bound form) worker

shāng

to injure

shēn

body