颐指气使 to command with a condescending air
Explanation
形容人傲慢自大，盛气凌人，以高高在上的姿态指挥别人。
Describes someone who is arrogant and overbearing, commanding others with a superior air.
Origin Story
唐末，朱温篡唐，杀害宰相崔胤后，强迫唐昭宗迁都洛阳。为了控制昭宗，朱温派李振前往监视。李振仗着朱温的权势，在洛阳颐指气使，百官皆畏惧他。他动辄以眼神或轻微动作指挥他人，对不顺眼者便严厉斥责，毫不顾忌皇室尊严。昭宗虽为天子，却也对他无可奈何，只能暗自叹息。大臣们更是噤若寒蝉，不敢言语。李振的所作所为，充分体现了恃强凌弱的跋扈行径，也成了后世“颐指气使”的典型案例。
In late Tang Dynasty, Zhu Wen usurped the throne and murdered Prime Minister Cui Yin before forcing Emperor Zhao Zong to move the capital to Luoyang. To control the Emperor, Zhu Wen sent Li Zhen to monitor him. Relying on Zhu Wen's power, Li Zhen acted with arrogance in Luoyang, and all officials feared him. He would command others with a glance or a slight gesture, severely reprimanding anyone he disliked, without regard for the imperial dignity. Though the Emperor Zhao Zong was the Son of Heaven, he could do nothing and only sighed in secret. The ministers were silent as grasshoppers, daring not to speak. Li Zhen's actions fully demonstrated his overbearing behavior and became a typical example of "颐指气使" in later generations.
Usage
用于形容人傲慢、专横地指挥别人的态度。
Used to describe the arrogant and overbearing attitude of someone commanding others.
Examples
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他颐指气使，对下属呼来喝去。
ta yi zhi qi shi, dui xia shu hu lai he qu. jing li yi zhi qi shi di fen fu yuan gong jia ban
He gave orders to his subordinates with a commanding air.
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经理颐指气使地吩咐员工加班。
The manager haughtily ordered employees to work overtime.