大权独揽 monopolize power
Explanation
一个人掌握全部权力，不受任何约束，独断专行。
One person holds all the power, without any constraints, acting arbitrarily.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个叫李林甫的权臣，他阴险狡诈，善于玩弄权术，在朝廷一手遮天，大权独揽。他为了巩固自己的地位，不遗余力地打压异己，凡是对他稍有威胁的大臣，都被他巧妙地排挤出朝，或被贬官，或被杀害。李林甫深知人心叵测，他表面上对皇帝忠心耿耿，但暗地里却结党营私，培植自己的势力。他利用职务之便，将朝廷的各种权力都牢牢掌握在自己手中，所有重要的决策都由他一人决定，其他大臣根本没有发言权。那些曾经与他争权夺利的朝臣们，如今都成了他的阶下囚，甚至连皇帝也对他忌惮三分。李林甫大权独揽的局面持续了很长时间，直到他死后，唐玄宗才意识到他的危害，最终将他定为罪人。
During the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, there was a powerful minister named Li Linfu. He was insidious and cunning, skilled in political maneuvering, and held absolute power in the court. To consolidate his position, he relentlessly suppressed dissidents. Any minister who posed a threat was subtly eliminated—exiled or executed. Li Linfu was keenly aware of the fickleness of human nature, outwardly presenting himself as loyal to the emperor. But secretly, he formed factions and cultivated his own power base. Using his official position, he firmly held all the court's power in his own hands. All important decisions were made solely by him; other ministers had no voice. Those who had once vied for power with him were now his prisoners, and even the emperor feared him. Li Linfu's absolute power lasted for many years, until after his death, Emperor Xuanzong realized the harm he had caused and posthumously condemned him as a criminal.
Usage
形容一个人专断独行，不受任何约束地掌握权力。
Describes a person who exercises power arbitrarily and without any constraints.
Examples
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他大权独揽，独断专行，导致了公司内部的严重矛盾。
tā dàquán dúlǎn, dúduàn zhuānxíng, dǎozhìle gōngsī nèibù de yánzhòng máodùn.
He monopolized power and acted arbitrarily, leading to serious internal conflicts in the company.
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皇帝大权独揽，大臣们都成了摆设。
huángdì dàquán dúlǎn, dàchéngmen dōu chéngle bǎishe.
The emperor held absolute power; the ministers were mere decorations.
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这个项目是他一个人说了算，真是大权独揽啊！
zhège xiàngmù shì tā yīgè rén shuōle suàn, zhēnshi dàquán dúlǎn a！
He alone decides on this project – entirely to his liking!