Definition
This chengyu (four-character idiom) literally means 'to order people with facial expressions and breath' — it describes someone who is arrogantly bossy, giving orders with an air of superiority and expecting instant obedience. It carries a strong negative tone and is used to criticize overbearing behavior, especially in hierarchical settings like workplaces or families.
f.e.
to be insufferably bossy and arrogantto order people around with an air of superiority
Examples
- 颐指气使，。Tā gāng dāng shàng jīnglǐ jiù duì xiàshǔ yí zhǐ qì shǐ, dàjiā dōu hěn fǎngǎn.As soon as he became manager, he started bossing his subordinates around arrogantly, and everyone resented it.
- 颐指气使。Zhè zhǒng yí zhǐ qì shǐ de tàidu zài tuánduì lǐ zhǐ huì yǐnqǐ máodùn.This kind of arrogant bossiness only creates conflict within a team.
- 颐指气使，。Tā cóng bù yí zhǐ qì shǐ, zǒng shì nàixīn de tīngqǔ biérén de yìjiàn.She is never bossy and always patiently listens to others' opinions.
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