理直气壮 lǐzhí-qìzhuàng in the right and self-confident (idiom)
in the right and self-confident (idiom); bold and confident with justice on one's side; to have the courage of one's convictions; just and forceful
How to remember 理直气壮: 理 reason + 直 straight + 气 air + 壮 big = in the right and self-confident (idiom).
Characters
How it is used
- Speaking boldly with right on your side - 他理直气壮地反驳 (tā lǐzhí qìzhuàng de fǎnbó) he rebutted with total confidence.
- The nuance is justified confidence: you're firm because you're in the right, not merely loud.
- Adverbial with 地; contrast 强词夺理 (qiángcí duólǐ), to argue forcefully when you're actually in the wrong.