the tail is too big to wag—leadership rendered ineffectual by recalcitrant subordinates; [of an organization] too cumbersome to be effective ❍ 末大必折，～，君可知也。(《左传·昭十一年》)Great branches are sure to break the roots; a great tail cannot be moved about:—this is what you know.
尾大不掉wei da bu diao
the tail wagging the dog
尾大不掉wěi dà bù diào
掉：摇动。尾巴太大，就不好摇动。比喻部属势力过分强大，不服从指挥调度；也比喻机构庞大，难以驾驮。too cumbersome to be effective, leadership rendered ineffectual by recalcitrant subordinates