# 有恃无恐

yǒu shì wú kǒng

Feel fearless because of backing

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Have support and therefore no fear

**Traditional Chinese:** 有恃無恐

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Describe boldness enabled by protection or leverage.

Often criticizes impunity rather than admiring confidence.

## Understanding the expression

A person relies on something strong enough to shield them from consequences. The expression describes the resulting fearlessness, often when someone behaves badly because a powerful ally or position protects them. The support may be real or merely assumed. It differs from courage shown despite danger. The source of security matters, so a useful sentence names the protection and shows how it changes the person's willingness to ignore rules or criticism.

## Examples

他仗着亲戚撑腰，有恃无恐。

### Traditional Chinese

他仗著親戚撐腰，有恃無恐。

tā zhàng zhe qīn qi chēng yāo ， yǒu shì wú kǒng 。

His relative's backing makes him feel untouchable.

平台缺少监管，商家有恃无恐。

### Traditional Chinese

平臺缺少監管，商家有恃無恐。

píng tái quē shǎo jiān guǎn ， shāng jiā yǒu shì wú kǒng 。

Weak oversight makes sellers feel immune to consequences.

她掌握关键证据，显得有恃无恐。

### Traditional Chinese

她掌握關鍵證據，顯得有恃無恐。

tā zhǎng wò guān jiàn zhèng jù ， xiǎn de yǒu shì wú kǒng 。

Holding key evidence makes her seem secure.

取消保护后，他不再有恃无恐。

### Traditional Chinese

取消保護後，他不再有恃無恐。

qǔ xiāo bǎo hù hòu ， tā bú zài yǒu shì wú kǒng 。

He lost his sense of impunity after protection ended.

## 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%9C%89%E6%81%83%E7%84%A1%E6%81%90)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=591&webMd=1&la=0)

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