take whatever one wants; make arbitrary demands
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to take whatever one wants; to make arbitrary demands; to exploit unilaterally
formalOriginally from 《左传•僖公七年》, describing how the Duke of Qi could take from and demand of others at will. Now carries a negative connotation, describing those who exploit their power to make excessive or unilateral demands.
Tā他
zhàng仗
zhe着
fù父
qīn亲
de的
quán权
shì势
，
dào到
chù处
yú予
qǔ取
yú予
qiú求
。
Relying on his father's power and influence, he takes whatever he wants wherever he goes.
Zhè这
gè个
guó国
jiā家
duì对
ruò弱
xiǎo小
lín邻
guó国
yú予
qǔ取
yú予
qiú求
，
háo毫
wú无
gù顾
jì忌
。
This country makes arbitrary demands on its weaker neighbors without any scruples.
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Zài在
jiù旧
shè社
huì会
，
dì地
zhǔ主
duì对
nóng农
mín民
yú予
qǔ取
yú予
qiú求
，
nóng农
mín民
kǔ苦
bù不
kān堪
yán言
。
In the old society, landlords took whatever they wanted from the peasants, who suffered unbearably.