Chinese idiom · 成语
大逆不道
Meaning
Great rebellion against the way; heinous treason.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical usageThe related formulation 大逆无道 appears in the Shiji's Basic Annals of Gaozu. Liu Bang condemns Xiang Yu for driving away and killing the nominal emperor Yi, presenting the act as a grave violation of rightful political order. The statement forms part of Liu Bang's justification for opposing Xiang Yu during their struggle for power.
The later form with 不 retains this force of extreme moral or political condemnation. Historically it could label rebellion against a ruler; in broader use it can describe an outrageous breach of expected duties. It is much stronger than saying someone disagrees or behaves unconventionally, and reflects the speaker's view of what order should be respected.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
提出不同意见不是什么大逆不道，会上应该允许讨论。
Offering a different opinion isn't some outrageous betrayal; discussion should be allowed at the meeting.
A very strong, often old-fashioned condemnation; this example rejects its overuse.