Chinese idiom · 成语
肆无忌惮
Meaning
Reckless without fear; brazen audacity.
Character by character
Origin and story
Classical idea and later usageThe Doctrine of the Mean, preserved in the Book of Rites, contrasts the exemplary person's measured conduct with a petty person's lack of restraint. It uses wu ji dan, without the first character of the modern idiom, in a saying attributed to Confucius. The concern is moral limits, not fearlessness as a virtue.
Later writing adds language of unrestrained behavior; the complete form is documented in the vernacular History of the Five Dynasties. It usually condemns someone who acts brazenly without regard for consequences or other people. Although some literary contexts describe uninhibited enjoyment, its ordinary critical force should not be confused with praise for courage.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
没人制止以后，他在群里骂人越来越肆无忌惮。
With nobody stopping him, he became increasingly brazen about insulting people in the group chat.
Usually strongly critical of reckless, unconstrained behavior.