Definition
This four-character idiom (成语) literally means 'high, high, above all,' but is used figuratively to describe a person—especially a leader or official—who is aloof from the people, out of touch with reality, and self-important. It often carries a critical tone, implying arrogance and detachment from the masses. You may also encounter it in neutral contexts to mean 'towering above' (of mountains, buildings), but in modern usage the figurative sense is dominant.
f.e.
aloof from the massesout of touch with ordinary peopleself-importantly remote
Examples
- 高高在上，。Dāng lǐngdǎo bù néng gāo gāo zài shàng, yào jīngcháng shēnrù jīcéng liǎojiě mínqíng.Leaders must not be aloof from the masses; they should frequently go down to the grassroots to understand people's conditions.
- 高高在上。Zhè piān pínglùn fěngcì le nàxiē gāo gāo zài shàng de guānliáo zhǔyì zuòfēng.This commentary satirizes the bureaucratism of those who are remote from the masses.
- 高高在上，。Tā zǒngshì yí fù gāo gāo zài shàng de yàngzi, dàjiā dōu bú tài xǐhuan tā.He always puts on an air of being above everyone else, so people don't like him much.
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