自上而下 (zì shǎng) — from top to bottom; from above to below

Definition

A formal/literary idiom meaning 'from top to bottom' — literally 'from above go down'. Used in writing about policy, reform, or management hierarchies, not casual speech.

idiom

from top to bottomfrom above to below

Examples

自上而下。
Zhè ge zhèng cè shì zì shǎng tuī xíng de.
This policy was implemented from the top down.
自上而下。
Wǒ men xū yào zì shǎng jìn xíng gǎi gé.
We need to carry out reforms from the top down.
自上而下。
Zhè zuò dà lóu zì shǎng dōu zhuāng le jiān kòng.
This building has surveillance cameras from top to bottom.

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