身不由己 shēn bù yóu jǐ — unable to control oneself; against one's will

身不由己
shēn bù yóu jǐ

Characters: 身 · 不 · 由 · 己

Definitions

  1. unable to control oneself; against one's will

More definitions

CC-CEDICT

  1. (idiom) (of one's circumstances) beyond one's control
  2. unable to do anything about it
  3. (of one's actions) not subject to conscious control (i.e. done in spite of oneself)

ExtDict

  1. 由：听从。身体不由自己作主。

Examples

  • 他身不由己地卷入了这场纷争。

    He was drawn into the dispute against his will.

  • 听到音乐，她身不由己地扭动起来。

    Hearing the music, she could not help swaying.