"Chen Xian Yi Qi" (Hang Xian Yi Qi) originates from an allusion in Qian Yi's "Nan Bu Xin Shu" of the Song Dynasty: During the Tang Dynasty, Cui Hang presided over the imperial examinations and admitted Cui Xie. People at the time mocked this, saying, "The examiner and his disciple are of the same foul air." "Hang Xian" originally referred to nighttime water vapor, and later came to metaphorically describe people of like bad odor colluding together. This idiom is derogatory and is mostly used to describe bad people, interest groups, or those of poor moral character colluding with one another and shielding each other, emphasizing their negative relationship of joining in wrongdoing. It is commonly used in political, commercial, or social criticism, such as collusion between officials and businessmen or gang crimes. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the sharp distinction in Chinese tradition between the friendship of gentlemen and the collusion of petty people, carries strong emotional coloring, and contains a sense of sarcasm and contempt.
📝 Example
1. These two corrupt officials colluded with each other, embezzling public funds together, and were ultimately brought to justice. (Referring to colluding with each other to do evil deeds together.)
2. That company colluded with unscrupulous media, fabricating fake news to deceive consumers. (Referring to acting in collusion, working together for evil purposes.)