duk6 laam5 daai6 kyun4獨攬大權独揽大权
Jyutpingduk6 laam5 daai6 kyun4
Yaleduhk láahm daaih kyùhn
Definition
To monopolize power; to seize and hold absolute control.
neutralworkpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, implying that the person is power-hungry or exclusionary. It is frequently used in professional or political contexts to describe someone who refuses to delegate or collaborate. Unlike neutral ways of describing leadership, this specifically highlights the act of centralizing control to the exclusion of others.
Examples
After joining the board of directors, he immediately seized total power.
Why does he have to monopolize authority and refuse to listen to others' opinions?
Related words
Common phrases
a person who monopolizes power
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive term meaning strong leadership, but it is almost always used as a criticism. It describes a situation where one person shuts out others, rather than simply being a leader or a boss.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
