Definition
扬长而去 describes the act of leaving confidently, arrogantly, or disdainfully, without caring about others' reactions — the 'stalked off' or 'swaggered away' feeling. It's a fixed four-character idiom (成语) that emphasizes the offender's unconcerned or haughty attitude; you can use it for physical departure or metaphorically for withdrawing from a situation. Avoid using it for neutral or polite leave-taking.
idiom
to leave in a swaggering or nonchalant mannerto stalk off
Examples
- ，扬长而去，。Tā shuō wán jiù zǒu le, yáng cháng ér qù, lián zhāohu dōu bù dǎ.He finished speaking and then left, stalking off without even saying goodbye.
- ，，扬长而去。Bèi pīpíng hòu, tā bùdàn bù rèn cuò, fǎn'ér yáng cháng ér qù.After being criticized, he not only refused to admit his mistake, but instead swaggered off.
- ，扬长而去。Liǎng rén zhēngchǎo bù xiū, zuìhòu tā fènrán yáng cháng ér qù.The two quarreled endlessly, and in the end she left indignantly.
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