以身试法 yǐ shēn shì fǎ to test the law with one's own body

Explanation

指明知故犯，触犯法律。比喻明知违法还要去做。

It means knowingly violating the law. It's used to describe someone who knowingly breaks the law.

Origin Story

西汉时期，王尊官至安定郡太守。他痛恨那些贪官污吏，决心整顿吏治。他以身作则，勤政爱民，严惩贪腐，安定郡因此变得安定繁荣。但他告诫官员：‘明慎所职，毋以身试法。’意思是说，做官要谨慎小心，不要触犯法律。他自身清廉正直，从不以权谋私，为官一任，造福一方，成为当时的一代清官。后来，他因年老退休，回到家乡，依然受到百姓的爱戴。这个故事告诉我们，无论做什么事都要遵守法律法规，不要以身试法。

xī hàn shí qī, wáng zūn guān zhì ān dìng jùn tài shǒu。tā tòng hèn nà xiē tān guān wū lì, jué xīn zhěng dùn lì zhì。tā yǐ shēn zuò zé, qín zhèng ài mín, yán chéng tān fǔ, ān dìng jùn yīn cǐ biàn de ān dìng fán róng。dàn tā gào jiè guān yuán：‘míng shèn suǒ zhí, wú yǐ shēn shì fǎ。’yì si shì shuō, zuò guān yào jǐn shèn xiǎo xīn, bù yào chù fàn fǎ lǜ。tā zì shēn qīng lián zhèng zhí, cóng bù yǐ quán móu sī, wéi guān yī rèn, zào fú yī fāng, chéng wéi dāng shí de yī dài qīng guān。hòu lái, tā yīn nián lǎo tuì xiū, huí dào jiā xiāng, yī rán shòu dào bǎi xìng de ài dài。zhège gù shì gào sù wǒ men, wú lùn zuò shén me shì dōu yào zūn shǒu fǎ lǜ fǎ guī, bù yào yǐ shēn shì fǎ。

During the Western Han Dynasty, Wang Zun was promoted to governor of An Ding County. He hated corrupt officials and decided to reform the government. He led by example, governed diligently and loved the people, severely punished corruption, and thus An Ding County became stable and prosperous. But he warned the officials: ‘Be careful in your duties and do not try to break the law.’ This means that officials should be careful and not break laws. He himself was upright and honest, never using his power for personal gain. During his term of office, he blessed the region. Later, he retired in old age and returned to his hometown, where he continued to be revered by the people. This story teaches us that we should abide by laws and regulations and not break the law.

Usage

作谓语、宾语、定语；指明知故犯

zuò wèi yǔ, bīn yǔ, dìng yǔ; zhǐ míng zhī gù fàn

Used as predicate, object, and attributive; refers to knowingly breaking the law.

Examples

• 他明知故犯，简直是以身试法！

  tā míng zhī gù fàn, jiǎn zhí shì yǐ shēn shì fǎ!

  He knowingly broke the law, it's simply self-justice!

• 不要以身试法，否则后果自负。

  bù yào yǐ shēn shì fǎ, fǒu zé hòu guǒ zì fù。

  Don't try to expose yourself to the law, otherwise you'll bear the consequences yourself.

Related Idioms

• 违法乱纪

• 犯法

• 作奸犯科

Opposite Idioms

• 奉公守法

• 遵纪守法

• 廉洁奉公