expression
favoring someone so much it backfires; overly partial treatment that harms the recipient
Proverb describing a situation where excessive favoritism or support ends up causing harm or inconvenience to the person being favored.
上司が彼ばかり褒めるので、周囲から反感を買ってしまった。まさにひいきの引き倒しだ。
Because the boss praised only him, he ended up incurring resentment from those around him. That's exactly a case of favoritism backfiring.
親が子供に甘すぎると、かえって自立を妨げる。ひいきの引き倒しになりかねない。
If parents are too indulgent with their children, it can actually hinder their independence. It could turn into a case of excessive favoritism causing harm.
A Japanese proverb combining ひいき (favoritism, partiality) and 引き倒す (to pull down, to topple), literally 'pulling down through favoritism'. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects the idea that excessive support can lead to the supported person's downfall.