不屑一顾

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bù xiè yī gù
• English Translation: Not worth a glance (to treat with disdain)
• Idiom Composition: 「不」（Not (negation)）＋「屑」（To consider worth doing or to deign (in this context, 'worth')）＋「一」（One; a single）＋「顾」（To look back or to glance at）
• Meaning: To regard something as not even worth a single glance; to treat something with utter contempt or disdain, considering it beneath one's notice.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「不屑一顾」 contains the following nuances:

• Extreme Contempt: The phrase implies more than just 'not looking'; it suggests the object is so inferior that it is 'not worth' the effort of looking.
• Active Rejection: Rather than simple indifference, this idiom represents a conscious decision to reject or dismiss something as trivial.

3. Usage

「不屑一顾」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Responding to criticism or rumors: Used to describe a person who completely ignores gossip or slander, viewing it as unworthy of their attention.
  • Example:「他对那些流言蜚语完全不屑一顾。」
    （He completely ignored those rumors and slanders.）
• Describing an arrogant attitude: Used when someone treats others or their suggestions with cold indifference because they feel superior.
  • Example:「这位专家对初学者的提问表现得不屑一顾。」
    （The expert showed a disdainful attitude toward the beginner's questions.）
• Detachment from wealth or power: In a more positive context, it describes a high-minded person who looks down upon worldly gains.
  • Example:「他视金钱如粪土，对荣华富贵不屑一顾。」
    （He views money as dirt and doesn't give a second thought to wealth and glory.）

Additional Examples:

1. 对于这种毫无根据的指责，我根本不屑一顾。
   （I don't care at all about these groundless accusations.）
2. 虽然这是个很好的机会，但他似乎不屑一顾。
   （Although it's a great opportunity, he seems to dismiss it out of hand.）
3. 很多年轻人对传统习俗不屑一顾，这让人担忧。
   （It is worrying that many young people look down upon traditional customs.）
4. 他那种不屑一顾的神情真让人生气。
   （His scornful expression really makes people angry.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The character 屑 (xiè) in modern Chinese usually means 'scraps' or 'crumbs,' but in classical Chinese, it means 'to be worth' or 'to deign to do.' Therefore, 不屑 (bù xiè) literally means 'not worth doing.'
• The idiom can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty scholar Fang Xiaoru (方孝孺) in his work 'Preface to Sending off Gong Yanzuo' (送龚彦佐序). Historically, it was sometimes used to describe the noble integrity of scholars who looked down on worldly corruption.
• While there are many ways to say 'ignore' in Chinese, 不屑一顾 (bù xiè yī gù) specifically carries a judgmental tone, implying the subject has evaluated the object and found it lacking in value.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 嗤之以鼻 (chī zhī yǐ bí): To snort with contempt; to look down upon something with a literal or figurative 'snort' of the nose.
  • 视如草芥 (shì rú cǎo jiè): To regard something as worthless as weeds or trash; extreme disregard.
  • 不以为然 (bù yǐ wéi rán): To disagree with something or someone, or to not consider something to be right or important.link
  • 目中无人 (mù zhōng wú rén): To be so arrogant as to disregard everyone else.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 刮目相看 (guā mù xiāng kàn): To rub one's eyes and look again; to see someone in a new, much more positive light due to their progress.link
  • 另眼相看 (lìng yǎn xiāng kàn): To look at someone with a different eye; to treat someone with special respect or attention.
  • 爱不释手 (ài bù shì shǒu): To love something so much that one cannot bear to part with it.link
  • 赞不绝口 (zàn bù jué kǒu): To praise someone or something repeatedly and enthusiastically.link

6. Summary

不屑一顾 (bù xiè yī gù) describes an attitude of complete disregard or contempt toward something deemed worthless or inferior. It is not merely passive indifference; it is an active judgment that the object is 'beneath' the person. While often used to criticize arrogance, it can occasionally describe a noble person's disdain for worldly riches or fame.