# 置之度外

zhì zhī dù wài

Set something aside from consideration

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Place it beyond one's concerns

**Register:** Evaluative · literary

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe disregarding personal risk or another specified concern.

Can praise sacrifice or criticize neglect depending on the object.

## Understanding the expression

The expression moves a matter outside the boundary of what someone considers. In praise, it often describes ignoring personal safety while helping others. In criticism, it may describe neglecting duties or serious consequences. The object therefore determines the moral tone. It does not mean that all disregard is brave or wise. A clear sentence names what is being set aside and why, allowing the reader to judge the choice rather than the phrase alone.

## Examples

救援时他把个人安危置之度外。

### Traditional Chinese

救援時他把個人安危置之度外。

jiù yuán shí tā bǎ gè rén ān wēi zhì zhī dù wài 。

During rescue, he disregarded his own safety.

不能把居民意见置之度外。

### Traditional Chinese

不能把居民意見置之度外。

bù néng bǎ jū mín yì jiàn zhì zhī dù wài 。

Residents' views cannot be ignored.

她把名利置之度外，专注研究。

### Traditional Chinese

她把名利置之度外，專注研究。

tā bǎ míng lì zhì zhī dù wài ， zhuān zhù yán jiū 。

She set fame and gain aside to focus on research.

他将成本置之度外，结果预算失控。

### Traditional Chinese

他將成本置之度外，結果預算失控。

tā jiāng chéng běn zhì zhī dù wài ， jié guǒ yù suàn shī kòng 。

Ignoring costs caused his budget to spiral.

## 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%BD%AE%E4%B9%8B%E5%BA%A6%E5%A4%96)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=535&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [终南捷径 zhōng nán jié jìng A calculated shortcut to status or advancement ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhong-nan-jie-jing)

- [自投罗网 zì tóu luó wǎng Walk into a trap oneself ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-tou-luo-wang)

- [自作自受 zì zuò zì shòu Suffer the consequences of one's own actions ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-zuo-zi-shou)

- [走投无路 zǒu tóu wú lù Have no viable way out ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zou-tou-wu-lu)

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