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越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖
越俎代庖

越俎代庖 — “To exceed one's authority and meddle in others' affairs”

越俎代庖 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to exceed one's authority and meddle in others' affairs”. To take over someone else's job that is not one's responsibility. Literally, “Step over the sacrificial vessel and replace the cook”.

Frequency

越俎代庖 Pronunciation and Pinyin

越俎代庖 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
越
yuè12cross, exceed, or increasingly
俎
zǔ9sacrificial vessel or chopping block
代
dài5replace; generation; era
庖
páo8kitchen or cook

Example Sentence with 越俎代庖

这份计划书是小李负责的,你这样越俎代庖,反而会让他无所适从。
This proposal is Xiao Li's responsibility; if you meddle in his affairs like this, it will only make him feel at a loss.

Origin and Story of 越俎代庖

In the legendary history of the Chinese nation, there was an outstanding leader named Tang Yao. Under his leadership, the people lived in peace and prosperity. However, Tang Yao was very humble. When he heard that the recluse Xu You was very capable, he wanted to cede his leadership to Xu You.

Tang Yao said to Xu You, 'If the sun and moon are already out, isn't it meaningless to keep candles lit compared to their brightness? If timely rain has already fallen, isn't it futile to water the crops? If you were to assume leadership, you would certainly govern the world even better. What meaning is there for me to occupy this position? I feel ashamed, please allow me to entrust the world to you.'

Xu You replied, 'You have already governed the world very well. If I were to replace you now, wouldn't I be seeking fame? I now live by my own efforts; what do I need those empty titles for? A wren building its nest in the forest occupies no more than a single branch; a mole drinking from the Yellow River only drinks its fill. What use is the world to me? Let it be. Even if the cook doesn't prepare the sacrificial food, the officiant cannot step over the ritual vessels and take his place in the kitchen to cook.'

Idioms Related to 越俎代庖

Synonyms of 越俎代庖

  • bāo包bàn办dài代tì替monopolize and handle for others

Antonyms of 越俎代庖

  • zì自lì力gēng更shēng生rely on one's own efforts

More idioms starting with 越

  • yuè越rén人féi肥jí瘠indifferent to others' suffering
  • yuè越zǔ俎dài代móu谋to overstep one's authority
  • yuè越fán凡yí遗shì世transcend the mundane and forsake the world
  • yuè越fú凫chǔ楚yǐ乙Misinterpret due to subjective bias
  • yuè越gǔ古chāo超jīn今surpass all times
  • yuè越nǚ女qí齐jī姬beautiful women from ancient Yue and Qi
  • yuè越fú扶yuè越zuì醉misguided support worsens bad behavior
  • yuè越cì次chāo超lún伦Surpass one's rank or order
  • yuè越cì次liè躐děng等to skip ranks or violate hierarchy
  • yuè越jí瘠qín秦shì视indifferent to others' suffering
  • yuè越shòu瘦wú吴féi肥indifferent to others' welfare
  • yuè越shòu瘦qín秦féi肥indifferent to others' troubles

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Questions about 越俎代庖

What does 越俎代庖 mean?

越俎代庖 (yuè zǔ dài páo) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to exceed one's authority and meddle in others' affairs”.

How do you pronounce 越俎代庖?

越俎代庖 is pronounced yuè zǔ dài páo in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 越俎代庖 literally mean?

Literally, 越俎代庖 means “Step over the sacrificial vessel and replace the cook”. It is used to mean “to exceed one's authority and meddle in others' affairs”.

Where does 越俎代庖 come from?

越俎代庖 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 越俎代庖?

越:跨过;俎:古代祭祀时摆祭品的礼器;庖:厨师。主祭的人跨过礼器去代替厨师办席。比喻超出自己业务范围去处理别人所管的事。

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