out of character; contrary to usual behavior
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to act completely out of character; to change one's usual attitude or behavior completely
neutralOften used to describe someone who suddenly behaves differently from their normal pattern, either positively or negatively. Can be used as adverbial or predicate.
Tā他
jīn今
tiān天
yī一
fǎn反
cháng常
tài态
，
hěn很
zǎo早
jiù就
lái来
dào到
le了
bàn办
gōng公
shì室
。
Today he acted completely out of character, arriving at the office very early.
Yī一
xiàng向
chén沉
mò默
guǎ寡
yán言
de的
tā她
yī一
fǎn反
cháng常
tài态
，
zài在
huì会
shàng上
tāo滔
tāo滔
bù不
jué绝
de地
fā发
yán言
。
She, who is usually quiet and reserved, acted completely out of character by speaking volubly at the meeting.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Píng平
shí时
hěn很
jié节
jiǎn俭
de的
tā他
yī一
fǎn反
cháng常
tài态
，
mǎi买
le了
yī一
liàng辆
áng昂
guì贵
de的
pǎo跑
chē车
。
He, who is normally very thrifty, acted completely out of character by buying an expensive sports car.