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垂簾聽政

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: 垂帘听政

Chinese

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to sit behind a curtain to handle matters of state
trad. (垂簾聽政) 垂簾 聽政
simp. (垂帘听政) 垂帘 听政
Literally: “to handle matters of state behind a curtain”.

Etymology

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The idiom arose from a practice in ancient China, by which a royal lady, as an empress or empress dowager, was allowed to preside over the imperial court without actually being seen by her subjects, because women were prohibited from politics. This would usually be done by the mother of a child emperor.

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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垂簾聽政

  1. (historical) (of female royal members, e.g. empress or empress dowager) to rule in place of a monarch; to serve as regent