形同虚设 (xíng tóng) — (idiom) to exist in name only; to serve no practical function
Definition
Literally 'in form, a void setup' — means something officially exists but is useless in practice, like a rule or department that nobody follows. Use for laws, regulations, or institutions that have lost real function.
idiom
to exist in name onlyto serve no practical function
Examples
- ，形同虚设，。Zhè tiáo fǎ lǜ suī rán cún zài, dàn xíng tóng, méi rén zūn shǒu.This law exists, but it serves no function — nobody follows it.
- 形同虚设，。Gōng sī lǐ de jiān dū bù mén xíng tóng, gēn běn bù qǐ zuò yòng.The company's oversight department exists in name only; it doesn't work at all.
- 形同虚设，。Zhè xiē ān quán cuò shī xíng tóng, chū liǎo shì shuí yě jiù bù liǎo.These safety measures are just for show — if something happens, no one can save you.
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