📖 Meaning
To roam freely across the world without encountering any obstacle or opposition. It describes someone who travels or campaigns everywhere unhindered, or someone so powerful that no one can rival them wherever they go.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the work 'Xiu Shen' (On Self-Cultivation) by the Warring States period thinker Xunzi. In the passage, Xunzi argues that a person who is respectful in conduct, loyal and trustworthy in heart, practices ritual and righteousness, and treats others with love will be able to roam the world without hindrance. Even if such a person were stranded among distant barbarian tribes, people would still hold them in high esteem. The idiom thus originally praised the moral person whose virtue earns respect everywhere.
💡 Example Usage
他凭借过人的胆识和谋略，在商场上横行天下，无人能敌。
With exceptional courage and strategy, he dominated the business world with no rival to be found.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 横行天下
- Pinyin: héng xíng tiān xià
- Literal Translation: cross, move, heaven, under
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4