任人摆布

任人擺布

rènrén-bǎibù

idiom #32,301

Meanings

1 to let oneself be ordered around at others' will
2 to be at someone's mercy
3 to be a pushover; a puppet

Characters

to place; arrange

to spread out; deploy

Examples

HSK 2

我才不会任人摆布。

Wǒ cái búhuì rènrén-bǎibù.

There's no way I'll let myself be pushed around.

HSK 4

弱小的国家容易任人摆布。

Ruòxiǎo de guójiā róngyì rènrén-bǎibù.

Weak countries easily end up at others' mercy.

Tips

usage

Strongly negative, used to criticize spinelessness or to vow not to be bullied. 摆布 originally means to arrange chess pieces or furniture; to be 任人摆布 is to be moved around like a chess piece. Often paired with 任人宰割 ('let others slaughter you').

Stroke Order

任 rèn

人 rén

摆 bǎi

布 bù