上行下效

shàngxíngxiàxiào
  1. (originally derogatory) subordinates follow the example of their superiors
  2. subordinates follow the example of their superiors

Wiktionary

Homographs

上行下效 shàngxíngxiàxiào subordinates follow the example of their superiors (idiom)

Entry Composition

1 上行 shàngxíng
  1. (of trains) up (i.e. towards the capital)
  2. (of river boats) to go against the current
  3. to submit (a document) to higher authorities
2 下 xià
  1. down
  2. downwards
  3. below
  4. lower
  5. later
  6. next (week etc)
  7. second (of two parts)
  8. to decline
  9. to go down
  10. to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc)
  11. measure word to show the frequency of an action
=3 效 xiào variant of 效 xiào
=3 效 xiào to imitate (variant of 效 xiào)
=3 效 xiào variant of 效 xiào
=3 效 xiào
  1. effect
  2. efficacy
  3. to imitate