特立独行

tè lì dú xíng

literal meaning: specially established, acting alone
translated: independent, unique, unconventional

This idiom carries a sense of independence and uniqueness. It is often used to describe the actions of a person or entity that is not concerned with the opinions or influences of those around them and instead wants to do things "their own way". It exists in direct contrast to the idiom 随波逐流 (suíbō-zhúliú // drifting with the tides), which is used to describe those who "go with the flow" or follow the majority.

This idiom carries a sense of independence and uniqueness. It is often used to describe the actions of a person or entity that is not concerned with the opinions or influences of those around them and instead wants to do things "their own way". It exists in direct contrast to the idiom 随波逐流 (suíbō-zhúliú // drifting with the tides), which is used to describe those who "go with the flow" or follow the majority.

特

tè

special, particular

立

lì

establish

独行

dúxíng

to go alone, do alone

独

dú

alone

行

xíng

behavior, conduct

Examples

房东的猫 - 爱你就像爱生命

Landlord's Cat - Loving You Is Like Loving Life

行驶特立独行的路途

Xíngshǐ tèlì-dúxíng de lùtú

(I) decided to travel along (my) own unique path

In the verse, the singer observes that most people that quietly conform to the standards set by society are in fact actually unhappy. When she realizes this, the singer decides to break from the majority and follow a path of her own choosing. Though this lyric omits some of the grammatical structure that would be found in colloquial speech, the use of the idiom conveys the meaning that the singer is making her own decisions and is not influenced by the actions of those around her.