Chinese idiom · 成语
越俎代庖
Meaning
To cross the altar and replace the cook; to overstep one’s role.
Character by character
Origin and story
Philosophical dialogueZhuangzi (莊子), Xiao Yao You (逍遙遊), imagines Yao offering rule of the world to Xu You. Xu You refuses: Yao already governs, and he himself has no use for the position. He concludes with an analogy that even if the cook fails to prepare food, the person attending the sacrifice does not step over the ritual vessels and take over the kitchen.
The source describes what the ritual attendant does not do; it does not tell of one actually disrupting a ceremony by cooking. The later idiom applies this division of responsibilities to someone taking over another person’s task or authority without proper warrant.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
这是设计师负责的部分，我可以提建议，但不该越俎代庖。
This part belongs to the designer; I can offer suggestions, but I shouldn’t take over.
Distinguishes helping or advising from improperly assuming someone else’s role.