tremble and obey

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To unthinkingly obey or pander to authorities, especially the Chinese government.

   • The ordinary voter ... feels himself their humble subject, whose duty is, as the Chinese used to say, to “tremble and obey”.
   • Never “tremble and obey” if doing so will damage or destroy your business in China.
   • ... the previous colonial government and the current tremble-and-obey government have helped foster the myth of a historically politically apathetic and selfish society ...
2. 2

   Phrase promulgating a decree of the Chinese imperial government or the early British…

   Phrase promulgating a decree of the Chinese imperial government or the early British colonial administration in Hong Kong.

   • Let the good tremble and obey; let them not act so as to have hereafter to repent. A special Proclamation.

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