# 背道而驰

bèi dào ér chí

Move in the opposite direction to a goal

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Travel against the proper road

**Traditional Chinese:** 背道而馳

**Register:** Critical · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe actions contradicting aims or principles.

May compare two trends without moral blame.

## Understanding the expression

A road points toward a destination, but the traveler moves the other way. The expression describes a mismatch between direction and intended purpose. Modern use often criticizes policies or behavior that undermine an announced goal. It can also compare two developments moving apart. The relation should be clear: saying something runs counter to a principle is more useful when the speaker explains which action creates the contradiction and why it matters.

## Examples

浪费资源与环保目标背道而驰。

### Traditional Chinese

浪費資源與環保目標背道而馳。

làng fèi zī yuán yǔ huán bǎo mù biāo bèi dào ér chí 。

Wasting resources contradicts the environmental goal.

他的做法和承诺背道而驰。

### Traditional Chinese

他的做法和承諾背道而馳。

tā de zuò fǎ hé chéng nuò bèi dào ér chí 。

His actions run counter to his promise.

降价目标与成本走势背道而驰。

### Traditional Chinese

降價目標與成本走勢背道而馳。

jiàng jià mù biāo yǔ chéng běn zǒu shì bèi dào ér chí 。

The price reduction goal conflicts with rising costs.

这条规定与公平原则背道而驰。

### Traditional Chinese

這條規定與公平原則背道而馳。

zhè tiáo guī dìng yǔ gōng píng yuán zé bèi dào ér chí 。

This rule runs against the principle of fairness.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%83%8C%E9%81%93%E8%80%8C%E9%A6%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=212&webMd=1&la=0)

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