挟天子以令诸侯

挾天子以令諸侯
xiétiānzǐyǐlìngzhūhóu
(expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control his vassals

CEDICT

  1. (figuratively) to assume de facto control of the de jure legitimate government; to be the power behind the throne; to be the éminence grise
  2. to assume de facto control of the de jure legitimate government; to be the power behind the throne; to be the éminence grise
  3. to control the emperor to command the nobles

Wiktionary

挟制皇帝，以其名义号令诸侯。比喻借重权势者的名义发号施令。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 挟 xié
  1. (bound form) to clasp under the arm
  2. (bound form) to coerce
  3. (bound form) to harbor (resentment etc)
  4. Taiwan pr. xiá
2 天子 tiānzǐ
  1. the (rightful) emperor
  2. "Son of Heaven" (traditional English translation)
=3 以 yǐ old variant of 以 yǐ
=3 以 yǐ old variant of 以 yǐ
=3 以 yǐ
  1. to use
  2. by means of
  3. according to
  4. in order to
  5. because of
  6. at (a certain date or place)
4 令 lìng
  1. to order
  2. to command
  3. an order
  4. warrant
  5. writ
  6. to cause
  7. to make sth happen
  8. virtuous
  9. honorific title
  10. season
  11. government position (old)
  12. type of short song or poem
5 诸侯 zhūhóu dukes or princes who rule a part of the country under the emperor; local rulers