横行霸道
横行霸道 (héng xíng bà dào) literally means “act tyrannically” and expresses “arrogant and lawless”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: heng xing ba dao, heng xing ba dao,横行霸道 meaning, 横行霸道 in english
Arrogant and lawless
Pronunciation: héng xíng bà dào Literal meaning: Act tyrannically
Origin & Usage
The idiom 横行霸道 (héng xíng bà dào) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe someone who acts with arrogance and disregard for rules or authority. The characters 横 (héng) mean 'horizontal' or 'unrestrained,' 行 (xíng) means 'to walk' or 'to act,' 霸 (bà) means 'tyrant' or 'domineering,' and 道 (dào) means 'way' or 'path.' Together, they paint a vivid image of someone who 'walks horizontally,' metaphorically trampling over others and established norms. In modern usage, this idiom is often used to criticize individuals or entities that behave in a lawless or overbearing manner, ignoring societal rules and ethics.
Examples
English: "His arrogant attitude made him many enemies in the workplace."
Chinese: 他的横行霸道让他在职场上结下了许多敌人。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 横行霸道 mean in English?
横行霸道 (héng xíng bà dào) literally translates to “Act tyrannically” and is used to express “Arrogant and lawless”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 横行霸道 used?
Situation: His arrogant attitude made him many enemies in the workplace.
What is the pinyin for 横行霸道?
The pinyin pronunciation for 横行霸道 is “héng xíng bà dào”.