wu4 zok3 fei1 wai4胡作非為胡作非为
Jyutpingwu4 zok3 fei1 wai4
Yalewùh jok fēi wàih
Definition
To run rampant, commit outrages, or act lawlessly by abusing one's power or backing.
colloquialother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of moral condemnation and implies that the subject is abusing their power or influence. It is frequently used in formal reporting or serious social commentary to describe corruption or lawless behavior. Unlike casual descriptions of someone being naughty, this term suggests a systematic or egregious disregard for rules and ethics.
Examples
Relying on their backing, they are actually running rampant here.
Who gave you the power to act so recklessly?
Related words
Common phrases
to allow someone to run rampant
to severely punish those who act recklessly
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple description of someone being annoying or loud. It is much heavier than that and should be reserved for situations involving abuse of power, corruption, or serious misconduct.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
