上梁不正下梁歪
shàng liáng bù zhèng xià liáng wāi

Translation

  • lit. If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked (idiom)
  • fig. subordinates imitate their superiors' vices

Synonyms

  • 上行下效

Examples

  • 上梁不正下梁歪。
    A fish rots from the head down.
Chinese Tones