一言堂

yīyántáng
idiom #98,874

Meanings

  1. 1 one-voice hall
  2. 2 a setup where only one person's word counts
  3. 3 autocratic, no-debate style of leadership

Examples

Zhège bùmén shì lǎobǎn de yīyántáng, xiàmiàn gēnběn méi fǎ tí yìjiàn.
This department is the boss's one-man show — nobody below can voice an opinion.
Kāihuì yào tīng dàjiā de, bù néng gǎo yīyántáng.
In meetings you have to listen to everyone — no one-voice rule.
Yīyántáng de zuòfēng chízǎo huì ràng tuánduì sànhuǒ.
Autocratic leadership will break up the team sooner or later.

Tips

history
Originally a plaque hung in old shops meaning 'one price, no haggling.' The meaning flipped in modern use: now it describes bosses or cadres who run things by decree with no room for discussion. Ai Wu used it this way in 《科学和文》.

Stroke Order

yán
táng