Chinese word

不择手段

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù zé shǒu duàn

Meaning

  • idiomuse any means necessary

Example

为了成功，他不择手段。wèi le chéng gōng tā bù zé shǒu duàn

To succeed, he will use any means necessary.

Illustration for 不择手段 (use any means necessary)

More examples

有些商人为了业绩，会用不择手段获取客户。yǒu xiē shāng rén wéi le yè jì huì yòng bù zé shǒu duàn huò qǔ kè hù

Some businesspeople will use any means necessary to meet their performance goals and attract customers.

Core concept

A goal takes priority over moral, legal, or humane limits, so every available method becomes acceptable.

Common phrases

  • 用不择手段yòng bù zé shǒu duàn

    use any means necessary

Similar words

不顾一切bú gù yí qiè: Ignoring other people's objections and surrounding dangers while taking action.
铤而走险tǐng ér zóu xiǎn: Choosing a risky action when safer options seem to have failed.
无所不用其极wú suǒ bú yòng qí jí: Trying every extreme way to achieve a goal, regardless of its fairness or legality.
见利忘义jiàn lì wàng yì: Forgetting moral duty and loyalty when tempted by profit.

Definition in Chinese

为了达到目的而不顾道德、法律或他人感受，采用各种方法。wèi le dá dào mù dì ér bú gù dào dé fǎ lǜ huò tā rén gǎn shòu cǎi yòng gè zhǒng fāng fǎ

Word origin

不 (bù, "not") + 择 (zé, "choose") + 手段 (shǒuduàn, "means") literally forms "not choose means," linking the idiom to letting the goal override moral or legal limits.

Usage tips

  • This is a strongly critical expression, so it usually describes another person's conduct or a reported event rather than serving as a neutral description of one's own actions.

Other meanings

  • stop at nothingidiom

Opposites

  • 以德服人yǐ dé fú rénwin people over through virtueidiom

Word lists with this word