置身事外

zhìshēn-shìwài

idiom #14,836

Meanings

1 to stay out of it
2 not to get involved
3 to keep oneself above the fray

Characters

Examples

这件事你不能置身事外。

Zhè jiàn shì nǐ bùnéng zhìshēn-shìwài.

You can't stay out of this matter.

他总是试图置身事外，不愿意帮忙。

Tā zǒngshì shìtú zhìshēn-shìwài, bù yuànyì bāngmáng.

He always tries to stay out of things and is unwilling to help.

Tips

usage

Often used with 不能 (cannot) to express that someone should not remain uninvolved. The opposite is 身临其境 - to be personally on the scene.

Stroke Order

置 zhì

身 shēn

事 shì

外 wài