📖 Meaning
To act in a completely unrestrained and reckless manner, with no scruples or fear of consequences. It describes someone who behaves willfully and brazenly, disregarding all rules, norms, or potential reprimand.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Wu Jianren's Qing dynasty novel 'Strange Events Witnessed in the Past Twenty Years' (二十年目睹之怪现状), Chapter 105. In the scene, a character named Cheng Hui takes over as the household's accountant, and having placed his own loyal followers in every position above and below him, he becomes utterly unrestrained and acts without any scruple or fear. The idiom thus emerged from a depiction of someone abusing newly acquired power with complete disregard for restraint.
💡 Example Usage
他仗着背后有人撑腰，在公司里恣无忌惮地欺压同事。
Backed by powerful supporters, he bullied his colleagues at the company in a completely brazen and unrestrained manner.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 恣无忌惮
- Pinyin: zì wú jì dàn
- Literal Translation: unrestrained, without, scruple, dread
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4