Chinese word

置之不理

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhì zhī bù lǐ

Meaning

  • idiomignore

Example

这个问题不能置之不理。zhè ge wèn tí bù néng zhì zhī bù lǐ

This problem cannot be ignored.

Illustration for 置之不理 (ignore)

More examples

公司不能把客户的投诉置之不理。gōng sī bù néng bǎ kè hù de tóu sù zhì zhī bù lǐ

The company cannot ignore customer complaints.

Core concept

An issue is treated as if it has been set down somewhere out of sight, while its call for attention receives no answer.

Common phrases

  • 把建议置之不理bǎ jiàn yì zhì zhī bù lǐ

    ignore a suggestion

  • 把投诉置之不理bǎ tóu sù zhì zhī bù lǐ

    ignore a complaint

Similar words

不理不睬bù lǐ bù cǎi: Ignore someone completely, showing no interest and offering no response.
不闻不问bù wén bú wèn: Remain unconcerned about a matter by not asking about it or attending to it.
视若无睹shì ruò wú dǔ: See a problem but treat it as if it were not there, without taking action.
置之度外zhì zhī dù wài: Set aside a matter as beyond concern and pay it no attention.

Definition in Chinese

把某个问题或请求搁置，不过问也不处理。bǎ mǒu gè wèn tí huò qǐng qiú gē zhì bú guò wèn yě bù chú lǐ

Word origin

置之不理 (zhìzhībùlǐ, "put it aside and not attend to it") combines 置 (zhì, "put"), 之 (zhī, "it"), and 不理 (bùlǐ, "not attend to"), so something placed aside is also denied attention.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this idiom can sound stronger than a simple statement that a task is postponed, because it suggests that the matter is being disregarded, especially in a complaint.

Other meanings

  • leave unattendedidiom
  • turn a blind eye toidiom

Word lists with this word