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自行其是

zìxíngqíshì
idiom #42,504

Meanings

  1. 1 to act as one thinks fit
  2. 2 to go one's own way regardless of others
  3. 3 to do things one's own way, ignoring collective direction

Examples

团队合作最忌自行其是。
Tuánduì hézuò zuì jì zìxíngqíshì.
The biggest no-no in teamwork is everyone going their own way.
他不听劝告，自行其是，结果吃了大亏。
Tā bù tīng quàngào, zìxíngqíshì, jiéguǒ chī le dà kuī.
He didn't heed the advice and went his own way, and ended up paying a heavy price.
公司规定不能自行其是，必须统一行动。
Gōngsī guīdìng bù néng zìxíngqíshì, bìxū tǒngyī xíngdòng.
Company rules forbid acting on one's own; actions must be coordinated.

Tips

usage
Pejorative — frames the actor as uncooperative or undisciplined, not independent-minded in a good way. For positive 'self-reliance' use 自力更生 or 独立自主.
memory
自 (self) 行 (carry out) 其 (one's own) 是 (what one thinks is right). Picture a person marching off while the team stands waiting.

Stroke Order

自 zì
行 xíng
其 qí
是 shì