use backdoor connections; pull strings
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to use backdoor connections; to pull strings; to achieve goals through improper channels or bribery
informalMetaphorical expression describing the use of personal connections, nepotism, or bribery to gain unfair advantage. Often carries a negative connotation. The variant 走后门儿 (zǒu hòu mén r) is common in spoken Northern Chinese.
Tā他
néng能
lì力
qiáng强
，
wán完
quán全
bù不
xū需
yào要
zǒu走
hòu后
mén门
jiù就
néng能
kǎo考
shàng上
。
He is so capable that he can pass the exam without pulling any strings.
Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
zhāo招
pìn聘
hěn很
yán严
gé格
，
rèn任
hé何
rén人
dōu都
bù不
néng能
zǒu走
hòu后
mén门
。
This company has strict hiring practices; nobody can get in through the back door.
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Tīng听
shuō说
tā他
shì是
kào靠
zǒu走
hòu后
mén门
cái才
ná拿
dào到
nà那
fèn份
hé合
tong同
de的
。
They say he only got that contract by using backdoor connections.
Zài在
zhè这
ge个
shè社
huì会
，
bù不
zǒu走
hòu后
mén门
yǒu有
shí时
hou候
bàn办
bù不
chéng成
shì事
。
In this society, sometimes you cannot get things done without pulling strings.
Xiào校
zhǎng长
gōng公
kāi开
shēng声
míng明
，
zhāo招
shēng生
jué绝
duì对
jìn禁
zhǐ止
zǒu走
hòu后
mén门
r儿
。
The principal publicly declared that using connections to gain admission is strictly prohibited.