# 飞扬跋扈

fēi yáng bá hù

Act arrogantly and domineeringly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be overbearing and unrestrained

**Traditional Chinese:** 飛揚跋扈

**Register:** Critical · literary

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

## When to use it

Criticize an arrogant use of status to disregard others.

Stronger than being assertive or outspoken.

## Understanding the expression

The expression suggests someone moving beyond normal restraints and forcing their will upon others. It commonly criticizes arrogance backed by authority, wealth, or influence. The person may dismiss rules, silence criticism, or mistreat those with less power. It is not a neutral account of confidence. Clear examples of domination distinguish the charge from dislike of a strong personality, especially when the person is simply asserting a legitimate boundary or defending a reasonable position.

## Examples

他仗着资历飞扬跋扈。

### Traditional Chinese

他仗著資歷飛揚跋扈。

tā zhàng zhe zī lì fēi yáng bá hù 。

He uses seniority to behave domineeringly.

他飞扬跋扈，讨论时不许别人提出想法。

### Traditional Chinese

他飛揚跋扈，討論時不許別人提出想法。

tā fēi yáng bá hù ， tǎo lùn shí bù xǔ bié rén tí chū xiǎng fǎ 。

He acted arrogantly and refused to let others offer ideas during the discussion.

小说中的权臣飞扬跋扈。

### Traditional Chinese

小說中的權臣飛揚跋扈。

xiǎo shuō zhōng de quán chén fēi yáng bá hù 。

The powerful minister in the novel is domineering.

她态度坚定，却并不飞扬跋扈。

### Traditional Chinese

她態度堅定，卻並不飛揚跋扈。

tā tài dù jiān dìng ， què bìng bù fēi yáng bá hù 。

She is firm without being overbearing.

## 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=%E9%A3%9B%E6%8F%9A%E8%B7%8B%E6%89%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=594&webMd=1&la=0)

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