noun
arbitrary and high-handed behavior; acting on one's own authority
Describes a situation or person where decisions are made arbitrarily and forcefully, often ignoring others' opinions. Typically used in formal or critical contexts.
その上司の専断横行には部下たちも困り果てている。
The subordinates are at their wits' end with their boss's arbitrary and high-handed behavior.
専断横行がまかり通る組織では、健全な議論は育たない。
In an organization where arbitrary actions are tolerated, healthy discussion cannot flourish.
A yojijukugo (four-character compound) combining 専断 (arbitrary decision) and 横行 (rampant, widespread). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of pairing two two-character terms to describe a prevailing negative condition.