上梁不正下梁歪

上樑不正下樑歪
shàngliángbùzhèngxiàliángwāi
  1. (figurative) if leadership sets a bad example, their subordinates will follow suit
  2. if leadership sets a bad example, their subordinates will follow suit

Wiktionary

Homographs

上梁不正下梁歪 shàngliángbùzhèngxiàliángwāi lit. If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked (idiom); fig. subordinates imitate their superiors' vices

Entry Composition

1 上梁 shàngliáng
  1. to lay an upper beam
  2. (a building's) upper beam
  3. (a bicycle's) top tube
2 不正 bùzhèng
  1. crooked; bent; angled
  2. dishonest; devious; shady
  3. improper; unacceptable; inappropriate
3 下梁 xiàliáng
  1. (of buildings) under beam; lower beam
  2. under beam; lower beam
=4 歪 wāi
  1. askew
  2. at a crooked angle
  3. devious
  4. noxious
  5. (coll.) to lie on one's side
=4 歪 wǎi to sprain (one's ankle) (Tw)