同流合污

tóngliú-héwū

idiom #24,263

Meanings

1 to follow the corrupt crowd
2 to go along with evil
3 to wallow in the mire with others

Characters

together / same

to flow / current

to join / to combine

filth / corruption

Examples

HSK 4

在那个年代，很多人被迫同流合污才能生存。

Zài nàgè niándài, hěnduō rén bèipò tóngliú-héwū cáinéng shēngcún.

In that era, many people were forced to follow the corrupt masses just to survive.

HSK 7-9

他不愿与那些贪腐官员同流合污。

Tā bù yuàn yǔ nàxiē tānfǔ guānyuán tóngliú-héwū.

He refused to go along with those corrupt officials.

Tips

usage

同流合污 is a strong condemnation, implying moral complicity. It goes beyond 'following the crowd' - it specifically means joining in corruption or wrongdoing. Often used in political/moral contexts.

Stroke Order

同 tóng

流 liú

合 hé

污 wū