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一意孤行

yī yì gū xíng
idiom★Intermediate💡 act on one's own initiative◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
To stubbornly pursue one's own path without considering external input, often to the detriment of collective goals.
¶ Literal Meaning
To act alone with a single intention.
Literal Breakdown
一one+意intention+孤alone+行to act
◇ Mental Image
A lone figure walking down a path while ignoring others' attempts to steer them in another direction.
◈ When to Use
A manager ignores team feedback and implements a flawed strategy, causing project delays. Colleagues might say, '他总是一意孤行,害得我们都跟着受罪。'
◉ Cultural Note
Roots in Confucian philosophy, where collective harmony (和谐) is valued over individual will. The idiom reflects traditional distrust of unchecked personal ambition.
formal

To stubbornly follow one's own course of action despite advice or opposition; to act independently without considering others' opinions.

领导一意孤行地推行新政策,导致员工不满。

The leader stubbornly pushed through the new policy on his own initiative, causing dissatisfaction among employees.

她一意孤行地坚持自己的计划,最终项目失败了。

She stubbornly insisted on her own plan, and the project ultimately failed.

💡

Often implies a negative connotation of arrogance or lack of collaboration.

Collocations

一意孤行地stubbornly坚持一意孤行insist on going one's own way

Synonyms

固执己见独断专行自行其是

Antonyms

从善如流集思广益博采众长

Related Phrases

独断专行idiom
to act arbitrarily and domineeringly
自行其是idiom
to do things in one's own way

💡Pro Tip

Idiom vs. Literal Meaning

This idiom does NOT mean 'to walk alone with one intention.' The literal breakdown is misleading; focus on the figurative meaning of stubborn independence.

⚡Gold Rule

When to Use

Use this idiom when describing someone who refuses advice and acts solely based on their own judgment, often leading to negative outcomes.

📖Word Origin

From the classical Chinese text 'Han Feizi' (《韩非子》), where it describes a ruler who stubbornly adheres to their own decisions without heeding advisors. The phrase combines '一意' (single-minded) and '孤行' (to act alone).

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in formal contexts to criticize leaders or individuals who refuse to listen to others. Avoid using in casual speech unless mimicking formal tone.

Word Breakdown

一意
single-minded, with one intention
compound
+
孤行
to act alone
compound
汉英词典

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