feign compliance while secretly disobeying; pay lip service
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to outwardly obey while secretly disobeying; to comply in public but oppose in private; to pay lip service
formalUsed to describe hypocritical behavior in hierarchical relationships, workplaces, or politics. The term carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in formal or written contexts.
Tā他
duì对
lǐng领
dǎo导
zǒng总
shì是
yáng阳
fèng奉
yīn阴
wéi违
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
hěn很
tǎo讨
yàn厌
tā他
。
He always pays lip service to his superiors while secretly disobeying, so everyone dislikes him.
Yáng阳
fèng奉
yīn阴
wéi违
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
zuì最
zhōng终
huì会
sǔn损
hài害
tuán团
duì队
de的
lì利
yì益
。
The practice of saying one thing and doing another will ultimately harm the team's interests.
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Duì对
yú于
gōng公
sī司
de的
guī规
dìng定
，
tā他
cóng从
bù不
yáng阳
fèng奉
yīn阴
wéi违
，
ér而
shì是
yán严
gé格
zhí执
xíng行
。
He never pays lip service to company regulations, but strictly implements them instead.