不得已不得已[bù dé yǐ]1.■act against one's will; be forced to; have no alternative but to; have to:不得已而求其次have to be content with the second best; have no alternative but to give up one's preference;不得已而为之feel constrained to act against one's will; do sth. against one's will; have no alternative but to do sth.;实在不得已， 她只好请几天假。She had no alternative but to ask for a few days' leave.非万不得已不要用这种药。Don't take this medicine unless it's absolutely necessary.