hold a sinecure; occupy a post without working
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to hold a post without doing any work and enjoy an empty emolument; to occupy a position while neglecting one's duties
formalA derogatory chengyu used to criticize officials or employees who collect salaries without contributing work. Literally 'to occupy a position like a corpse and eat plain meals'.
Guān官
yuán员
shī尸
wèi位
sù素
cān餐
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
yuàn怨
shēng声
zài载
dào道
。
The officials hold sinecures while the common people complain bitterly.
Tā他
zài在
zhè这
gè个
gǎng岗
wèi位
shàng上
shī尸
wèi位
sù素
cān餐
duō多
nián年
，
háo毫
wú无
jiàn建
shù树
。
He has occupied this post for years without doing any work, achieving absolutely nothing.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Gōng公
sī司
bù不
néng能
róng容
rěn忍
shī尸
wèi位
sù素
cān餐
de的
yuán员
gōng工
。
The company cannot tolerate employees who collect paychecks without working.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
shī尸
wèi位
sù素
cān餐
de的
xíng行
wéi为
yīng应
gāi该
shòu受
dào到
qiǎn谴
zé责
。
Such parasitic behavior of occupying positions without working should be condemned.