# 出尔反尔

chū ěr fǎn ěr

Go back on one's word

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** What comes from you returns to you

**Traditional Chinese:** 出爾反爾

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize reversing commitments unpredictably.

A reasoned change openly explained is different.

## Understanding the expression

In modern speech the phrase describes inconsistency between what someone promises and what they later do. A person may agree and then refuse, or keep changing a position when others depend on it. The resulting problem is loss of trust. Changing your mind is sometimes necessary, but should be explained honestly. The expression usually criticizes abrupt reversal without fair notice rather than thoughtful revision based on new information.

## Examples

你答应后又取消，太出尔反尔了。

### Traditional Chinese

你答應後又取消，太出爾反爾了。

nǐ dā ying hòu yòu qǔ xiāo ， tài chū ěr fǎn ěr liǎo 。

You agreed then canceled; you keep breaking your word.

客户出尔反尔，合同迟迟未签。

### Traditional Chinese

客戶出爾反爾，合同遲遲未籤。

kè hù chū ěr fǎn ěr ， hé tong chí chí wèi qiān 。

The client's reversals keep delaying the contract.

她要求对方别再出尔反尔。

### Traditional Chinese

她要求對方別再出爾反爾。

tā yāo qiú duì fāng bié zài chū ěr fǎn ěr 。

She asked the other side to stop reversing its promises.

他出尔反尔，让队友很失望。

### Traditional Chinese

他出爾反爾，讓隊友很失望。

tā chū ěr fǎn ěr ， ràng duì yǒu hěn shī wàng 。

His broken promises disappointed his teammates.

## 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=%E5%87%BA%E7%88%BE%E5%8F%8D%E7%88%BE)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=107&webMd=1&la=0)

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