以身试法

以身試法

yǐshēnshìfǎ

idiom #36,289

Meanings

1 to knowingly break the law
2 to defy the law with one's own person
3 to test the law by committing a crime

Characters

one's own body; oneself

to test; to try

Examples

不要以身试法，否则后悔莫及。

Bùyào yǐshēnshìfǎ, fǒuzé hòuhuǐmòjí.

Don't knowingly break the law, or you'll regret it when it's too late.

他明知这样做违法，却偏要以身试法。

Tā míngzhī zhèyàng zuò wéifǎ, què piān yào yǐshēnshìfǎ.

He knew it was illegal, yet deliberately went ahead and broke the law.

劝君莫以身试法，免得牢狱之灾。

Quàn jūn mò yǐshēnshìfǎ, miǎnde láoyù zhī zāi.

I urge you not to put yourself to the test of the law — or you may end up in prison.

Tips

history

From 《汉书·王尊传》: 明慎所职，毋以身试法 — an admonition to officials: 'Be clear-eyed and careful in your duties; do not put yourself to the test of the law.' Originally an official warning, now a general cautionary phrase.

usage

Always negative — frames the person as knowingly, willfully breaking the law. Common in news reports on corruption, drug use, fraud.

Stroke Order

以 yǐ

身 shēn

试 shì

法 fǎ