# 上下其手

shàng xià qí shǒu

Manipulate a process dishonestly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Raise and lower the hands

**Register:** Critical · literary

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe collusion or covert interference for improper gain.

Not a neutral description of managing something.

## Understanding the expression

The hand movements suggest signals that alter an outcome behind the visible procedure. Modern use describes dishonest manipulation by people able to influence a process. Procurement, grading, and allocation of benefits can provide the context. It often implies concealed coordination rather than one accidental error. The specific interference should be named where possible, because the phrase is a serious allegation and a fair account needs more than suspicion about an unfavorable result.

## Examples

他们在招标中上下其手。

### Traditional Chinese

他們在招標中上下其手。

tā men zài zhāo biāo zhōng shàng xià qí shǒu 。

They manipulated the tender dishonestly.

有人上下其手，改动了评分。

### Traditional Chinese

有人上下其手，改動了評分。

yǒu rén shàng xià qí shǒu ， gǎi dòng le píng fēn 。

Someone dishonestly altered the scores.

审计发现主管上下其手牟利。

### Traditional Chinese

審計發現主管上下其手牟利。

shěn jì fā xiàn zhǔ guǎn shàng xià qí shǒu móu lì 。

The audit found the supervisor manipulating matters for profit.

公开流程能减少上下其手的机会。

### Traditional Chinese

公開流程能減少上下其手的機會。

gōng kāi liú chéng néng jiǎn shǎo shàng xià qí shǒu de jī huì 。

Transparent procedures reduce opportunities for manipulation.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%8A%E4%B8%8B%E5%85%B6%E6%89%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=516&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [舍本逐末 shě běn zhú mò Neglect the essential to pursue the minor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/she-ben-zhu-mo)

- [深思熟虑 shēn sī shú lǜ Consider something thoroughly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shen-si-shu-lv)

- [适得其反 shì dé qí fǎn Get the opposite of the intended result ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-de-qi-fan)

- [适可而止 shì kě ér zhǐ Stop at an appropriate point ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shi-ke-er-zhi)

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