逍遥法外

逍遙法外
xiāoyáo-fǎwài
idiom #5,506

Meanings

  1. 1 to be at large
  2. 2 to go unpunished
  3. 3 to remain beyond the reach of the law

Characters

逍遥 (carefree) + (outside the law) = going unpunished

Examples

Zuìfàn zhìjīn xiāoyáofǎwài.
The criminal remains at large to this day.
Tā bùnéng ràng xiōngshǒu xiāoyáofǎwài.
He can't let the murderer go unpunished.

Tips

memory
逍遥 means 'carefree/leisurely' and means 'outside the law' — picture a criminal strolling carefree outside the courthouse.

Stroke Order

xiāo
yáo
wài