擅作主张
“or act on my own authority.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
擅作主张
“or act on my own authority.”
速去折冲府调兵
“Hurry to the Zhechong Command and mobilize troops.”
“Who gave you the audacity to make decisions behind my back?”
In traditional Chinese bureaucratic and military governance, acting without direct orders was viewed not as initiative, but as dangerous insubordination.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
to act on one's own authority; to take unauthorized initiative
Commonly used in both historical and modern contexts to reprimand a subordinate for making crucial decisions without permission.