📖 Meaning
To forcibly impose one's own agenda as the will of the people; to falsely claim that a conspiracy or bad action represents popular opinion. Used to criticize authoritarian rulers who fabricate public consent for their schemes.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom has no single classical origin text. It arose in modern Chinese political discourse to describe how reactionary rulers disguise their conspiracies as the people's will. It is notably associated with Yuan Shikai's 1915 sham citizen vote to legitimize his imperial restoration. The phrase vividly captures the act of coercing and falsifying public opinion for authoritarian ends.
💡 Example Usage
袁世凯搞公民投票称帝，完全是强奸民意。
Yuan Shikai's citizen vote to declare himself emperor was a complete violation of the people's will.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 强奸民意
- Pinyin: qiáng jiān mín yì
- Literal Translation: force, violate, people's, will
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4