奋不顾身

Pronunciation: fèn bù gù shēn Literal meaning: Strive without regard for self

Origin & Usage

Sima Qian's letter to Ren An looks back on what he had said at court years before in defence of Li Ling — the general who took a small force deep into Xiongnu territory, fought until his arrows ran out, and surrendered. Li Ling, he had argued, threw himself forward (奋) with no thought (不顾) for his own body (身). Emperor Wu heard the defence as an attack on his brother-in-law's command, and Sima Qian was castrated for it; the letter is written from the far side of that, explaining why he chose to live and finish the history. The phrase carries its price inside it. Firefighters, soldiers, anyone who moves toward danger rather than away from it — and it is unqualified praise in a way few Chinese idioms are.

Examples

English: "He threw himself into the project, caring little for his own safety"

Chinese: 他奋不顾身地投入到项目中，几乎不顾自己的安全