倒行逆施 regressive tyranny
Explanation
指违反常理，不顾客观实际，任意妄为的行为。现在多指违背时代潮流或人民意愿，反动的事情。
Refers to actions that violate common sense, ignore objective reality, and act arbitrarily. Now it mostly refers to actions that violate the trend of the times or the will of the people, reactionary things.
Origin Story
春秋时期，吴王阖庐为报杀父之仇，命伍子胥攻打楚国。伍子胥率军势如破竹，直捣楚国都城郢城。楚平王已死，伍子胥掘开楚平王的坟墓，鞭尸泄愤。有人劝谏说这是违背礼法的倒行逆施之举，伍子胥却说：“吾日暮途远，吾故倒行而逆施之。”他认为自己此举是为了报仇雪恨，虽有违常理，但也是情理之中。这个故事说明，有些事情虽然违背常理，但从个人情感角度来看，也可能情有可原。但从社会发展的角度来看，“倒行逆施”终究是有害的。
During the Spring and Autumn period, King Helü of Wu ordered Wu Zixu to attack the Kingdom of Chu to avenge the death of his father. Wu Zixu led his army with unstoppable momentum, directly attacking the capital Ying of Chu. King Ping of Chu was already dead, so Wu Zixu had King Ping of Chu's tomb excavated and his corpse whipped to vent his anger. Someone advised him that this was an act against the moral law and an act of regressive tyranny, but Wu Zixu replied, "My day is drawing to a close, and my journey is long, so I act against reason."
Usage
通常作谓语、宾语、定语；指违背常理，任意妄为。
Usually used as predicate, object, and attributive; refers to actions that violate common sense and are arbitrary.
Examples
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他这种做法完全是倒行逆施，与时代潮流格格不入。
tā zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ wánquán shì dǎoxíngnìshī, yǔ shídài cháoliú gége bùrù
His actions are completely regressive and out of sync with the times.
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改革开放初期，有些地方仍然倒行逆施，阻碍了经济发展。
gǎigé kāifàng chūqī, yǒuxiē dìfāng réngrán dǎoxíngnìshī, zǔ'ài le jīngjì fāzhǎn
In the early days of reform and opening up, some areas were still acting against the tide of history, hindering economic development.