生せい殺さつ与よ奪だつ

noun

life-and-death power; absolute control over someone's fate

A yojijukugo meaning the power to decide whether someone lives or dies, or more broadly, to have complete control over another's destiny. Often used in contexts of tyranny, absolute authority, or overwhelming power imbalance.

• 独どく裁さい者しゃは国こく民みんに対たいして生せい殺さつ与よ奪だつの権けんを握にぎっていた。

  The dictator held the power of life and death over the people.

• 上じょう司しは部ぶ下かのキャリアについて生せい殺さつ与よ奪だつの権けんを持もつと言いっても過か言ごんではない。

  It is no exaggeration to say that the boss has absolute power over his subordinates' careers.