to start a war without just cause; to act without justification
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to dispatch troops without just cause; to do something without proper justification
formalOriginally a military term referring to launching a campaign without a legitimate reason (from the ancient text 'Lüshi Chunqiu'). Now broadly used for any action lacking proper justification or legal basis.
Zhè这
chǎng场
zhàn战
zhēng争
shī师
chū出
wú无
míng名
，
bù不
dé得
rén人
xīn心
。
This war was waged without just cause and has no popular support.
Nǐ你
zhè这
yàng样
pī批
píng评
tā他
，
wèi未
miǎn免
shī师
chū出
wú无
míng名
。
Your criticism of him like this is rather unjustified.
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Rú如
guǒ果
shī师
chū出
wú无
míng名
，
jiù就
hěn很
nán难
yíng赢
dé得
mín民
zhòng众
de的
zhī支
chí持
。
If one acts without proper justification, it will be difficult to win public support.
Zhè这
chǎng场
jūn军
shì事
xíng行
dòng动
shī师
chū出
wú无
míng名
，
zāo遭
dào到
le了
guó国
jì际
shè社
huì会
de的
qiǎn谴
zé责
。
This military operation lacked just cause and was condemned by the international community.