📖 Meaning
To deceive the authorities and flout the law. It describes brazen behavior that shows open contempt for legal and official authority, acting as if no rules apply.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Volume 10 of 'Slapping the Table in Amazement' (初刻拍案惊奇), a celebrated Ming dynasty story collection by Ling Mengchu (凌濛初). In the tale, a group of rogues and scoundrels brazenly commit fraud and illegal acts, provoking the narrator's outrage at their audacity. The phrase condemns those who dare to deceive the authorities and disregard the law with impunity.
💡 Example Usage
这些奸商欺公罔法，终将受到法律的严惩。
These profiteers deceive the authorities and flout the law, and will ultimately face severe legal punishment.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 欺公罔法
- Pinyin: qī gōng wǎng fǎ
- Literal Translation: deceive, public, disregard, law
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4