任人宰割

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: rèn rén zǎi gē
• English Translation: To be at the mercy of others, to be like a lamb to the slaughter
• Idiom Composition: 「任」（To allow, to let）＋「人」（Person, others）＋「之」（'s (possessive particle)）＋「危」（Danger, crisis）
• Meaning: To be at the mercy of others, unable to resist, and unilaterally exploited. It describes a state where one's fate is controlled by others and one's freedom is taken away.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「任人宰割」 contains the following nuances:

• Helplessness: A state of being unable to resist or having no means to resist, being completely at the mercy of another party.
• Domination and subjugation: A situation where there is a clear power imbalance, and one party completely dominates the other.
• Control of destiny: Unable to decide one's own fate, completely controlled by others.
• Miserable situation: Often refers to a tragic situation where one is physically, mentally, or socially cornered.

3. Usage

「任人宰割」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Position of the weak: Used to describe situations where the powerless or those in a weak position are unilaterally attacked or exploited by the strong.
  • Example:「在这场不公平的竞争中，弱者只能任人宰割。」
    （In this unfair competition, the weak can only be at the mercy of others.）
• Individual powerlessness: Used to express an individual's complete powerlessness in the face of overwhelming force, power, or difficult circumstances.
  • Example:「他就像一只待宰的羔羊，任人宰割，毫无反抗之力。」
    （He was like a lamb to the slaughter, at the mercy of others, completely powerless to resist.）
• Figurative expression: Can also be used figuratively, not only for direct violence but also for economic domination or psychological oppression.
  • Example:「如果我们不团结起来，就会被敌人各个击破，最终任人宰割。」
    （If we don't unite, we will be defeated one by one by the enemy and ultimately be at their mercy.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对强大的敌人，他们毫无还手之力，只能任人宰割。
   （Faced with a powerful enemy, they were powerless to fight back and could only be at their mercy.）
2. 在那个黑暗的时代，普通百姓的命运如同草芥，任人宰割。
   （In that dark era, the fate of ordinary people was like grass, at the mercy of others.）
3. 他被骗得倾家荡产，现在只能任人宰割。
   （He was swindled out of all his possessions and is now at the mercy of others.）
4. 这个国家因为内乱，变得任人宰割，失去了主权。
   （Due to civil strife, this country became vulnerable to exploitation and lost its sovereignty.）
5. 在资本的操控下，小企业往往任人宰割。
   （Under the manipulation of capital, small businesses are often at the mercy of others.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Historical background: '任人宰割' reflects a historical context where people were dominated by violence and power, such as during wars and oppressive regimes.
• Strong negative connotation: This idiom carries a very strong negative meaning, so caution is required when using it.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 束手无策 (shù shǒu wú cè): To be at a loss, to be helpless.
  • 无能为力 (wú néng wéi lì): Powerless, unable to do anything.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng): To be self-reliant, to live by one's own efforts.
  • 独立自主 (dú lì zì zhǔ): Independent and self-reliant, acting on one's own will without relying on others.

6. Summary

'任人宰割' is an idiom that describes a very helpless and tragic state of being at the mercy of others, unable to resist, and having one's fate controlled by others. This phrase not only signifies being in a weak position but also strongly implies the underlying relationship of domination and subjugation, as well as the deprivation of individual dignity. It is important to understand the heavy meaning of this idiom and use it appropriately in context.