沆瀣一气

沆瀣一氣

hàngxiè-yíqì

idiom #39,581

Meanings

1 to act in collusion
2 to be hand in glove with
3 (of bad people) to be cut from the same cloth

Characters

evening mist; (here a personal name)

night dew; (here a personal name)

Examples

HSK 7-9

这两个官员沆瀣一气，贪污了大量公款。

Zhè liǎng gè guānyuán hàngxièyíqì, tānwū le dàliàng gōngkuǎn.

These two officials worked hand in glove and embezzled huge sums of public money.

HSK 7-9

记者揭露了几家公司沆瀣一气的内幕。

Jìzhě jiēlù le jǐ jiā gōngsī hàngxièyíqì de nèimù.

The reporter exposed how several companies were colluding behind the scenes.

HSK 7-9

他们沆瀣一气，欺压百姓。

Tāmen hàngxièyíqì, qīyā bǎixìng.

They ganged up to oppress the common people.

Tips

history

From a Tang civil-service exam in 875 CE, where examiner 崔沆 passed a candidate named 崔瀣. Wags joked 'Hang and Xie are one breath' - the examiner showing favoritism. Originally a clever pun, now strictly negative.

mistakes

Strongly pejorative - only use for collusion in wrongdoing. Never apply it to legitimate cooperation.

Stroke Order

沆 hàng

瀣 xiè

一 yī

气 qì