越俎代庖 yuè zǔ dài páo to overstep one's authority

Explanation

比喻超出自己业务范围去处理别人所管的事。

It means to go beyond one's own scope of responsibility and handle matters that belong to others.

Origin Story

传说上古时期，尧帝在位期间，勤政爱民，深得民心。但是年事已高，感到力不从心，想禅位于德才兼备的舜。尧帝多次派人去请舜，舜都推辞。尧帝又听说许由是一位品德高尚，隐居山林的贤人，于是决定将帝位禅让给许由。尧帝派使者来到许由隐居的山谷，说明来意。许由听后，坚决拒绝，并说道："您治理天下有方，功劳卓著，我怎能越俎代庖，夺取您的功劳呢？"使者无奈，只好返回。后来尧帝将帝位禅让给了舜，开创了中国历史上禅让的先河。许由的故事体现了中国传统文化中谦虚谨慎的美德，以及对权力的淡泊名利态度。他宁愿过着清贫简朴的生活，也不愿接受帝位，这种高尚的品格值得后人敬佩。

chuánshuō shànggǔ shíqī, yáo dì zàiwèi qījiān, qínzhèng àimín, shēn dé mínxīn。dànshì niánshì yǐ gāo, gǎndào lì bù cóngxīn, xiǎng chánwèi yú décái jiānbèi de shùn。yáo dì duō cì pài rén qù qǐng shùn, shùn dōu tuīcí。yáo dì yòu tīngshuō xǔ yóu shì yī wèi pǐndé gāoshàng, yǐnjū shānlín de xiánrén, yúshì juédìng jiāng dìwèi chánràng gěi xǔ yóu。yáo dì pài shǐzhě lái dào xǔ yóu yǐnjū de shāngǔ, shuōmíng lái yì。xǔ yóu tīng hòu, jiānué jùjué, bìng shāodào："nín zhìlǐ tiānxià yǒu fāng, gōngláo zhuózhù, wǒ zěn néng yuè zǔ dài páo, duó qǔ nín de gōngláo ne？" shǐzhě wú nài, zhǐhǎo fǎnhuí。hòulái yáo dì jiāng dìwèi chánràng gěi le shùn, kāichuàng le zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng chánràng de xiānhé。xǔ yóu de gùshì tǐxiàn le zhōngguó chuántǒng wénhuà zhōng qiānxū jǐnshèn de měidé, yǐjí duì quánlì de dàn bó mínglì tàidu。tā nìng yuàn guòzhe qīnpín jiǎnpǔ de shēnghuó, yě bù yuàn jiēshòu dìwèi, zhè zhǒng gāoshàng de pǐnggé zhídé hòurén jìngpèi。

Legend has it that in ancient times, Emperor Yao, known for his diligent governance and love for his people, felt his age catching up to him and decided to abdicate in favor of the virtuous Shun. Yao sent messengers repeatedly, but Shun declined. Yao, having heard of Xu You's exceptional morality and reclusive life, decided to offer the throne to him. When the messengers reached Xu You's secluded valley, they explained the Emperor's wishes. Xu You firmly refused, stating, "You have governed the empire with great skill and have achieved significant accomplishments. How could I usurp your achievements by taking your place?" The messengers, disheartened, returned. Eventually, Yao abdicated in favor of Shun, establishing the precedent of abdication in Chinese history. Xu You's story embodies the virtues of humility and modesty, along with an indifference to worldly power, in traditional Chinese culture. His noble character, preferring a simple life over the imperial throne, remains inspiring to this day.

Usage

用于形容超出自己的职权或能力范围去干涉或处理别人的事情。

yòng yú xíngróng chāochū zìjǐ de zhíquán huò nénglì fànwéi qù gānshè huò chǔlǐ biérén de shìqíng。

Used to describe going beyond one's own authority or ability to interfere with or handle other people's affairs.

Examples

• 他总是越俎代庖，干涉别人的事情。

  tā zǒngshì yuè zǔ dài páo, gānshè biérén de shìqíng。

  He always meddles in other people's affairs.

• 这件事不归你管，请不要越俎代庖。

  zhè jiàn shì bù guī nǐ guǎn, qǐng bùyào yuè zǔ dài páo。

  This is not your business, please don't interfere.

Related Idioms

• 包办代替

• 越权

Opposite Idioms

• 各司其职

• 各尽所能