生杀予夺shēng shā yǔ duóhave sb completely in one’s power; hold power over sb’s life and property; tread on the neck of
❍ 贵贱、杀、生、与夺一也。(《荀子·王制》) Those which guide the ruler in honouring or humbling,punishing or freeing,giving or taking from his subjects are based upon this unity. 生杀予夺shēnɡ shā yǔ duó生：让人活着；杀：叫人死；予：给予；夺：剥夺。指统治阶级有任意处置别人生命财产的权力。have sb. completely in one’s power, hold power over sb.’s life and property, have sb.’s fate in one’s hands |