📖 Meaning
Describes a person who is strictly impartial, fair, and incorruptible, unswayed by personal relationships or the influence of the powerful. It emphasizes an unwavering commitment to justice and principle, showing no favoritism or leniency. The idiom evokes the image of someone with an 'iron face'—stern, unyielding, and incapable of being bent by emotion or self-interest.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom first appears in Chapter 45 of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦), the classic Qing dynasty novel by Cao Xueqin (曹雪芹). In the story, the character Tanchun is setting up a poetry club and needs someone to manage its affairs strictly. Another character, Li Wan, suggests that Wang Xifeng should serve as the 'supervisory censor' (监社御史) of the club, saying she must be '铁面无私'—impartial and unbending. The phrase draws on the traditional image of the iron-masked Judge Bao (包拯) of the Song dynasty, who was legendary for his fearless, incorruptible judgments.
💡 Example Usage
这位法官铁面无私，连自己的亲侄子犯法也照判不误。
This judge is iron-faced and impartial—he even sentenced his own nephew without hesitation when the law was broken.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 铁面无私
- Pinyin: tiě miàn wú sī
- Literal Translation: iron, face, without, selfishness
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4