越俎代庖 yuè zǔ dài páo

to take matters into one's own hands

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 34940th word

Definitions

  1. 1. to take matters into one's own hands
  2. 2. lit. to go beyond the sacrificial altar and take over the kitchen (idiom); fig. to exceed one's place and meddle in other people's affairs

Characters

Character Meaning
the more... the more; to exceed; to surpass
a stand for food at sacrifice
to substitute; to replace; to act on behalf of others
kitchen