# 敷衍塞责

fū yǎn sè zé

Do the minimum merely to discharge responsibility

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Fob off the task and block blame

**Traditional Chinese:** 敷衍塞責

**Register:** Critical · formal

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Criticize careless work done only for appearances.

It implies neglect, not simply imperfect work under pressure.

## Understanding the expression

The task receives enough outward attention to let someone claim it was handled, but not enough care to solve it properly. The expression describes perfunctory replies, inadequate inspections, or incomplete work performed to escape responsibility. The motive is important: the person seems concerned with being able to say the duty is finished. A genuine mistake despite effort differs from this neglectful approach, so concrete evidence of superficial handling strengthens the criticism.

## Examples

他随便填表，明显敷衍塞责。

### Traditional Chinese

他隨便填表，明顯敷衍塞責。

tā suí biàn tián biǎo ， míng xiǎn fū yǎn sè zé 。

His careless form-filling was plainly perfunctory.

投诉回复不能敷衍塞责。

### Traditional Chinese

投訴回覆不能敷衍塞責。

tóu sù huí fù bù néng fū yǎn sè zé 。

Responses to complaints must not be perfunctory.

检查员敷衍塞责，漏掉了危险。

### Traditional Chinese

檢查員敷衍塞責，漏掉了危險。

jiǎn chá yuán fū yǎn sè zé ， lòu diào le wēi xiǎn 。

The inspector's negligent check missed the danger.

她逐项核对，绝不敷衍塞责。

### Traditional Chinese

她逐項核對，絕不敷衍塞責。

tā zhú xiàng hé duì ， jué bù fū yǎn sè zé 。

She checks each item rather than merely going through the motions.

## 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=%E6%95%B7%E8%A1%8D%E5%A1%9E%E8%B2%AC)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=484&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [功亏一篑 gōng kuī yī kuì Fail just before completing the work ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gong-kui-yi-kui)

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