# 不可一世

bù kě yī shì

Be insufferably arrogant

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Consider no one in the world comparable

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize someone acting superior to everyone.

Stronger than confidence or pride in an achievement.

## Understanding the expression

The person appears to believe that nobody else deserves equal consideration. The expression describes arrogance shown in dismissive speech, contempt, or refusal to listen. A sudden success may produce that attitude, but the cause is less important than the behavior. Confidence is compatible with respecting others; this phrase suggests the respect has disappeared. It often prepares a contrast with a later setback that exposes how fragile the apparent superiority was.

## Examples

他升职后变得不可一世。

### Traditional Chinese

他升職後變得不可一世。

tā shēng zhí hòu biàn de bù kě yī shì 。

He became insufferably arrogant after his promotion.

那人不可一世，听不进意见。

### Traditional Chinese

那人不可一世，聽不進意見。

nà rén bù kě yī shì ， tīng bú jìn yì jiàn 。

That person is so arrogant that he will not hear advice.

冠军没有不可一世，仍认真训练。

### Traditional Chinese

冠軍沒有不可一世，仍認真訓練。

guàn jūn méi yǒu bù kě yī shì ， réng rèn zhēn xùn liàn 。

The champion did not become arrogant and kept training seriously.

一次失败打破了他不可一世的姿态。

### Traditional Chinese

一次失敗打破了他不可一世的姿態。

yí cì shī bài dǎ pò le tā bù kě yī shì de zī tài 。

One failure shattered his air of invincible superiority.

## 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=%E4%B8%8D%E5%8F%AF%E4%B8%80%E4%B8%96)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=817&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [不谋而合 bù móu ér hé Reach the same view without prior consultation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-mou-er-he)

- [不速之客 bù sù zhī kè An uninvited or unexpected visitor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-su-zhi-ke)

- [不约而同 bù yuē ér tóng Do the same thing without arranging it ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-yue-er-tong)

- [不足挂齿 bù zú guà chǐ Be too minor to mention ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bu-zu-gua-chi)

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