身不由己 shēnbùyóujǐ beyond one's control
(idiom) (of one's circumstances) beyond one's control; unable to do anything about it; (of one's actions) not subject to conscious control (i.e. done in spite of oneself)
How to remember 身不由己: 身 body + 不 not + 由 because + 己 self = beyond one's control.
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How it is used
- Idiom: not in control of your own actions/situation, swept along by circumstances - 人在职场,身不由己 (rén zài zhíchǎng, shēnbùyóujǐ) once you're in the workplace, you're not your own master.
- Used to excuse or explain doing something you didn't fully choose, under pressure of others or events.
- Fixed four-character phrase; 由己 = up to oneself. It's about external constraint, not physical inability.