act arbitrarily; assume unauthorized authority
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to act on one's own authority; to make decisions without consulting superiors
literaryTypically used in formal, bureaucratic, or historical contexts to describe unauthorized actions that bypass proper channels. Carries a negative connotation.
Tā他
cóng从
bù不
zhuān专
shàn擅
jué决
dìng定
，
zǒng总
shì是
xiān先
qǐng请
shì示
lǐng领
dǎo导
。
He never makes decisions on his own authority, always consulting his superiors first.
Shēn身
wéi为
xià下
shǔ属
，
bù不
kě可
zhuān专
shàn擅
xíng行
shì事
。
As a subordinate, one must not act on one's own authority.
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Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
xǔ许
duō多
quán权
chén臣
zhuān专
shàn擅
cháo朝
zhèng政
，
zuì最
zhōng终
bù不
dé得
shàn善
zhōng终
。
Throughout history, many powerful ministers who usurped authority over state affairs came to bad ends.
Wèi未
jīng经
pī批
zhǔn准
，
rèn任
hé何
rén人
bù不
dé得
zhuān专
shàn擅
chǔ处
lǐ理
cǐ此
lèi类
shì事
wù务
。
No one is permitted to handle such matters on their own authority without prior approval.