大包大揽

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: dà bāo dà lǎn
• English Translation: To take on everything oneself, to shoulder all responsibilities alone, to assume full responsibility for everything
• Idiom Composition: 「大」（Big, large）＋「包」（To wrap, to take on）＋「大」（Big, large）＋「揽」（To take charge of, to shoulder）
• Meaning: Originally, it means to take on everything and assume full responsibility. It has come to refer to taking on more work or responsibilities than one is capable of handling alone. It is often used in a negative or critical context, implying recklessness and a high risk of failure.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「大包大揽」 contains the following nuances:

• Excessive sense of responsibility: Expresses an excessive sense of responsibility or overconfidence in taking on more than one's ability.
• Reckless behavior: Refers to the recklessness of taking on many tasks or responsibilities without sufficient consideration or planning.
• Sign of potential failure: Suggests that taking on too many things often leads to mediocrity in all and a high chance of failure.
• Desire for control: Can also express a desire to monopolize control, unwilling to delegate tasks to others.

3. Usage

「大包大揽」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Criticism and blame: Used critically or reproachfully towards people who take on tasks beyond their ability or make reckless plans.
  • Example:「他总是喜欢大包大揽，结果往往因为力不从心而失败。」
    （He always likes to take on everything himself, but often fails because he is overwhelmed.）
• Advice and warning: Used as advice or warning to those who try to take on everything themselves.
  • Example:「这个项目需要团队合作，不能由一个人大包大揽。」
    （This project requires teamwork; it cannot be handled all by one person.）
• Self-reflection: Sometimes used for self-reflection, reviewing one's own behavior.
  • Example:「我以前总是大包大揽，结果把自己弄得疲惫不堪。」
    （I used to take on everything myself, which ended up exhausting me.）

Additional Examples:

1. 公司不应该大包大揽所有业务，应该合理分配资源。
   （A company should not take on all business alone; resources should be allocated reasonably.）
2. 他总是大包大揽，却忽视了自己的健康。
   （He always takes on everything himself, neglecting his own health.）
3. 她在团队中总是大包大揽，不给其他人表现的机会。
   （She always takes on everything herself in the team, not giving others a chance to shine.）
4. 领导批评他大包大揽，不善于分工合作。
   （The leader criticized him for taking on everything himself and being poor at delegation and teamwork.）
5. 我们不能大包大揽所有的问题，要学会寻求帮助。
   （We should not shoulder all problems alone, but learn to seek help.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Responsibility and balance: In Chinese culture, having a sense of responsibility is important, but it is equally important to recognize one's own limits and avoid overextending oneself. '大包大揽' refers to a breakdown of this balance and is viewed negatively.
• Individualism vs collectivism: '大包大揽' can be seen as an individualistic behavior. Since Chinese society values collectivism, taking on everything alone while ignoring teamwork is often criticized.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 包罗万象 (bāo luó wàn xiàng): To include everything under the sun, to cover all aspects. Unlike '大包大揽', it does not carry a negative connotation.
  • 包打天下 (bāo dǎ tiān xià): To boast of being able to do everything and take on all tasks. Like '大包大揽', it often carries a negative nuance.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 推三阻四 (tuī sān zǔ sì): To refuse by making various excuses, shirking responsibility.
  • 推诿扯皮 (tuī wěi chě pí): To pass the buck and shirk responsibility.

6. Summary

'大包大揽' is an idiom that expresses the folly and danger of taking on more work or responsibility than one can handle. While having a sense of responsibility is important in Chinese culture, it is equally important to objectively assess one's abilities and avoid overextending oneself. Understanding the cultural background behind this idiom will help you use it more appropriately.