obey unquestioningly; be at sb's beck and call
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to obey sb's every command; to be completely submissive
literaryA classical idiom often used in formal contexts. Can carry a commendatory sense of loyalty or a derogatory sense of blind obedience lacking independent judgment. Variants include 惟命是听 and 唯命是从.
Tā他
duì对
shǒu手
xià下
de的
yuán员
gōng工
wéi唯
mìng命
shì是
tīng听
，
cóng从
bù不
zhì质
yí疑
rèn任
hé何
jué决
dìng定
。
He is completely submissive to his employees, never questioning any decision.
Zuò作
wéi为
yī一
míng名
jūn军
rén人
，
fú服
cóng从
mìng命
lìng令
shì是
tiān天
zhí职
，
dàn但
bìng并
fēi非
máng盲
mù目
dì地
wéi唯
mìng命
shì是
tīng听
。
As a soldier, obeying orders is a sacred duty, but it does not mean blindly following every command without question.
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Zài在
zhè这
gè个
jiā家
lǐ里
，
tā他
duì对
qī妻
zi子
wéi唯
mìng命
shì是
cóng从
。
In this household, he is at his wife's beck and call.
Wéi惟
mìng命
shì是
tīng听
de的
nú奴
cai才
zuì最
ràng让
shàng上
si司
xǐ喜
huan欢
。
Obsequious lackeys who obey every command are most favored by their superiors.