不怕官，只怕管 bù pà guān ， zhǐ pà guǎn

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. it is not an official to be feared, but a person in direct control over sb (proverb)
  2. fig. to be obliged to comply with people in authority

CHARACTERS

不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
怕 pà
HSK 3
to fear, be afraid of; apprehensive
官 guān
HSK 5
official, public servant
只 zhǐ
HSK 3
only, just, simply
怕 pà
HSK 3
to fear, be afraid of; apprehensive
管 guǎn
HSK 4
pipe, tube, duct; woodwind music