奴颜婢膝 fawning
Explanation
形容对人拍马讨好卑鄙无耻的样子。
Describes the despicable way of flattering and fawning on someone.
Origin Story
南宋时期，奸臣贾似道为了保住自己的权势，对蒙古侵略者卑躬屈膝，甚至不惜向他们纳贡求和。他表面上对宋理宗忠心耿耿，实际上却为了自身利益不择手段。一次，蒙古军队南下，兵临城下，贾似道却暗中与蒙古勾结，用大量的金银财宝贿赂敌军，让他们撤兵。回朝后，贾似道谎称自己大获全胜，欺骗了宋理宗，并因此获得了更高的官职。然而，他的行为却激起了百姓的愤怒，最终，贾似道因其卖国求荣的行为而被处死。这个故事告诉我们，做人要正直，不能为了自己的私利而牺牲国家和民族的利益，更不能像贾似道一样，对侵略者奴颜婢膝，遗臭万年。
During the Southern Song Dynasty, the treacherous official Jia Sidao, in order to maintain his power, fawned on the Mongol invaders, even offering tribute to appease them. He outwardly appeared loyal to Emperor Song Lizong, but in reality, he used all means for his own interests. Once, Mongol troops marched south, besieging a city, but Jia Sidao secretly colluded with the Mongols, bribing the enemy army with vast sums of gold and silver to make them retreat. Returning to court, Jia Sidao claimed a great victory, deceiving Song Lizong and gaining a higher position. However, his actions angered the people and ultimately, Jia Sidao was executed for his treason and servility. This story teaches us to be upright and not to sacrifice the interests of the nation for personal gain, and not to be like Jia Sidao, servile to invaders, and to become infamous forever.
Usage
作谓语、定语；形容卑鄙无耻地讨好别人。
As a predicate or attributive; describes the despicable way of flattering and fawning on someone.
Examples
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他为了巴结上司，总是奴颜婢膝，令人作呕。
tā wèile bājié shàngsī, zǒngshì nú yán bì xī, lìng rén zuò'ǒu。
He always fawned on his superiors to curry favor, which was disgusting.
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面对强权，他宁死不屈，绝不奴颜婢膝。
miàn duì qiángquán, tā níng sǐ bù qū, jué bù nú yán bì xī。
In the face of power, he would rather die than surrender, he would never be servile.