Chinese idiom · 成语
有恃无恐
Meaning
With backing, no fear; confident reliance.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountThe Zuo Commentary, Duke Xi's twenty-sixth year, describes an invasion of Lu by Duke Xiao of Qi. Lu sent Zhan Xi to meet him. Asked whether Lu was frightened, Zhan Xi replied that ordinary people were, but its gentlemen were not. The duke pointed to Lu's empty granaries and asked what gave them confidence. Zhan Xi invoked the old commitment of their founding ancestors, the Duke of Zhou and the Grand Duke of Qi, that their descendants should not harm one another. He trusted the duke to honor that obligation, and Qi withdrew.
The expression grew from this reliance on something that removes fear. Today it often criticizes people who feel protected enough to behave without restraint.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
他仗着有人撑腰，便有恃无恐地违反规定。
With someone backing him, he breaks the rules without fear.
Often critical: confidence that comes from backing or protection.