仰人鼻息 dependent on others
Explanation
依赖别人的呼吸而生存，比喻依赖别人，不能自主。
To depend on the breath of others to survive; a metaphor for dependence on others, unable to act independently.
Origin Story
东汉末年，群雄逐鹿，英雄辈出。袁绍凭借强大的实力和声望，掌控着冀州，然而，他的统治却并非稳固。韩馥，冀州牧，表面上臣服于袁绍，却暗中对其心怀不满，屡屡克扣军粮，企图削弱袁绍的实力。袁绍深知韩馥的虚伪和阴险，但他不得不仰仗韩馥的粮草供应，维持军队的运转。他如同一个行将就木的病人，只能依赖韩馥微薄的呼吸维持生存，完全失去了自主权。一次，袁绍派人去向韩馥索要粮草，韩馥却故意拖延，借故推诿。袁绍忍无可忍，最终采取行动。他派大军进驻冀州，逼迫韩馥让出州牧之位。韩馥无奈，只得自杀谢罪。这之后，袁绍彻底掌控了冀州，却也为此埋下了祸根。他依靠着韩馥，无法自给自足，最终也无法成就霸业。
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, many warlords competed for hegemony, heroes emerged one after another. Yuan Shao controlled Ji-zhou with his powerful strength and reputation. However, his rule was not stable. Han Fu, the prefect of Ji-zhou, outwardly submitted to Yuan Shao, but secretly harbored resentment and repeatedly withheld military supplies, attempting to weaken Yuan Shao's strength. Yuan Shao knew Han Fu's hypocrisy and insidiousness, but he had to rely on Han Fu's food supply to maintain the operation of the army. He was like a dying patient, relying on Han Fu's meager breath to survive, completely losing his autonomy. Once, Yuan Shao sent someone to Han Fu to ask for food supplies, but Han Fu deliberately delayed and made excuses to shirk his responsibilities. Yuan Shao could no longer bear it and finally took action. He sent troops to station in Ji-zhou and forced Han Fu to give up his position as prefect. Han Fu had no choice but to commit suicide to apologize. After that, Yuan Shao completely controlled Ji-zhou, but also planted the seeds of his own misfortune. Relying on Han Fu, he was unable to be self-sufficient, and ultimately failed to achieve his ambitions.
Usage
常用来形容一个人或一个组织过度依赖他人，缺乏自主性和独立性。
Often used to describe a person or organization that is overly dependent on others and lacks autonomy and independence.
Examples
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他完全仰人鼻息，没有一点主见。
ta wanquan yang ren bixi, meiyou yidian zhujian.
He is completely dependent on others and has no opinion of his own.
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这家公司仰人鼻息，缺乏自主创新能力。
zhe jia gongsi yang ren bixi, quefa zizhu chuangxin nengli
This company is dependent on others and lacks independent innovation ability.