tác uy tác phúc

Definition

1. Idiom:
   • To wield power and bestow favors arbitrarily: This idiom describes the act of using one's authority to both intimidate others and grant them favors, entirely according to one's own whims. It implies a person in a position of power who acts capriciously, deciding who to punish and who to reward based on personal discretion.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Ông ta tự cho mình cái quyền tác uy tác phúc trong công ty. (He arrogated to himself the right to wield power and bestow favors arbitrarily within the company.)
  • Chế độ ấy cho phép kẻ cầm quyền tác uy tác phúc. (That regime allows those in power to act with arbitrary authority.)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is typically used in a critical or negative context to describe the abuse of power. It is often applied to figures in authority, such as officials, managers, or leaders, who rule autocratically.

Variants and Related Words

• Lộng quyền (v): to abuse one's power.

  • Viên chức đó bị cáo buộc lộng quyền. (That official was accused of abusing power.)

• Chuyên quyền (adj): autocratic, despotic.

  • Một chính phủ chuyên quyền. (An autocratic government.)

Synonyms

• To rule with an iron fist: to govern in a very strict and unforgiving way.
• To be high-handed: using authority in an unreasonable, arrogant way.
• To act arbitrarily: to make decisions based on random choice or personal whim, rather than reason or rules.

Related Idioms

• Một tay che trời: (lit. one hand covers the sky) to wield immense, unchecked power.

  • Hắn ta ở đây như một tay che trời. (He acts here as if he wields immense, unchecked power.)

• Muốn sao được vậy: to get whatever one wants.

  • Con ông chủ tỏ ra muốn sao được vậy. (The boss's child acts as if they can get whatever they want.)