bad people hold power; wicked persons are in charge
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
bad people hold power; wicked persons are in charge
literaryAn idiom with strong negative connotation, criticizing corrupt or tyrannical rulers or officials. Often used in formal or literary contexts. Directly translates as 'jackals and wolves block the road'.
Zài在
nà那
ge个
chái豺
láng狼
dāng当
dào道
de的
shí时
dài代
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
shēng生
huó活
kǔ苦
bù不
kān堪
yán言
。
In that era when villains held power, the people's lives were unspeakably miserable.
Gǔ古
yǔ语
yún云
：
"
Chái豺
láng狼
dāng当
dào道
，
ān安
wèn问
hú狐
li狸
？
"
As the old saying goes: 'When jackals and wolves block the path, why bother asking about the foxes?'
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Tā他
jué决
xīn心
chǎn铲
chú除
zhè这
xiē些
chái豺
láng狼
dāng当
dào道
de的
fǔ腐
bài败
guān官
yuán员
。
He is determined to root out these corrupt officials who are like jackals and wolves in power.