# 仰人鼻息

yǎng rén bí xī

Depend on another person's favor for survival

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Look upward for the air from another's nose

**Register:** Concerned · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe constrained dependence on powerful others.

Stronger and less neutral than ordinary cooperation.

## Understanding the expression

Even breathing seems dependent on another person, making the imbalance extreme. Modern use describes relying on someone else's approval, money, or authority so heavily that one's choices are restricted. It often concerns work, livelihood, or institutional independence. The phrase carries resentment or concern. All cooperation involves some dependence, but this expression points to a relationship where one side must watch the other's mood or wishes rather than act with reasonable autonomy.

## Examples

他不愿一直仰人鼻息。

### Traditional Chinese

他不願一直仰人鼻息。

tā bú yuàn yì zhí yǎng rén bí xī 。

He does not want to remain dependent on another's favor.

资金全靠一人，公司仰人鼻息。

### Traditional Chinese

資金全靠一人，公司仰人鼻息。

zī jīn quán kào yì rén ， gōng sī yǎng rén bí xī 。

With funding from one person, the company depends on that person's wishes.

她努力独立，摆脱仰人鼻息的生活。

### Traditional Chinese

她努力獨立，擺脫仰人鼻息的生活。

tā nǔ lì dú lì ， bǎi tuō yǎng rén bí xī de shēng huó 。

She seeks independence from a life dependent on others.

小店不想仰人鼻息，另找货源。

### Traditional Chinese

小店不想仰人鼻息，另找貨源。

xiǎo diàn bù xiǎng yǎng rén bí xī ， lìng zhǎo huò yuán 。

The shop sought another supplier to reduce dependent vulnerability.

## 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%BB%B0%E4%BA%BA%E9%BC%BB%E6%81%AF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=254&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [摇尾乞怜 yáo wěi qǐ lián Grovel for someone’s favor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yao-wei-qi-lian)

- [要言不烦 yào yán bù fán Speak concisely while covering the essentials ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yao-yan-bu-fan)

- [叶落归根 yè luò guī gēn Return to one’s roots or homeland ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ye-luo-gui-gen)

- [义不容辞 yì bù róng cí Have a duty one should not decline ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-bu-rong-ci)

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