📖 Meaning
Describes someone who acts willfully and recklessly without any restraint or fear of consequences. It conveys a tyrannical attitude where a person does whatever they please with complete disregard for rules or others.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the 'History of Ming' (明史), specifically in the biography of Duoyan (朵颜传). It describes how the tribal leader Chang Ang (长昂) became increasingly arrogant and unrestrained, allying with the Tümed Mongols to the east and marrying into the Baihongda tribe to the west, causing disturbances along the border regions. The term '跋扈' (domineering) combined with '自恣' (self-indulgent) portrays a figure who abuses power without any sense of propriety.
💡 Example Usage
他仗着权势跋扈自恣，朝中无人敢谏。
Relying on his power, he acted tyrannically and did as he pleased, and no one in the court dared to speak against him.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 跋扈自恣
- Pinyin: bá hù zì zì
- Literal Translation: domineering, self-indulgent
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4