# 目空一切

mù kōng yī qiè

Regard everything and everyone as beneath oneself

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** See nothing as worthy of notice

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize sweeping arrogance or contempt.

More expansive than confidence in one skill.

## Understanding the expression

The eyes find nothing worth respecting, making the person's judgment seem contemptuous of the entire surrounding world. The expression describes an arrogant attitude that dismisses others' achievements, advice, or institutions. It is stronger than being proud of a particular success. The criticism should be supported by conduct, such as refusing to learn from anyone. Independent taste and disagreement can be reasonable; the problem is treating all outside value as beneath consideration.

## Examples

他获奖后目空一切，不听劝告。

### Traditional Chinese

他獲獎後目空一切，不聽勸告。

tā huò jiǎng hòu mù kōng yī qiè ， bù tīng quàn gào 。

Winning made him dismiss everyone else's advice.

她能力很强，却不目空一切。

### Traditional Chinese

她能力很強，卻不目空一切。

tā néng lì hěn qiáng ， què bù mù kōng yī qiè 。

She is capable without looking down on everything.

目空一切会让人停止学习。

### Traditional Chinese

目空一切會讓人停止學習。

mù kōng yī qiè huì ràng rén tíng zhǐ xué xí 。

Arrogance can stop a person learning.

那位新人目空一切，轻视所有前辈。

### Traditional Chinese

那位新人目空一切，輕視所有前輩。

nà wèi xīn rén mù kōng yī qiè ， qīng shì suǒ yǒu qián bèi 。

The newcomer arrogantly dismisses all experienced colleagues.

## 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=%E7%9B%AE%E7%A9%BA%E4%B8%80%E5%88%87)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=611&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [目中无人 mù zhōng wú rén Treat others as beneath one's notice ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/mu-zhong-wu-ren)

- [难能可贵 nán néng kě guì Especially admirable because it is difficult to achieve ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/nan-neng-ke-gui)

- [南腔北调 nán qiāng běi diào A mixture or variety of regional accents ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/nan-qiang-bei-diao)

- [难兄难弟 nàn xiōng nàn dì Companions sharing similar hardship ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/nan-xiong-nan-di)

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