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.
The subordinates are at their wits' end with their boss's arbitrary and high-handed behavior.
In an organization where arbitrary actions are tolerated, healthy discussion cannot flourish.
独断専行 emphasizes acting alone and decisively, while 専断横行 stresses the prevalence or repeated nature of arbitrary, high-handed actions.
横暴 is a more common word for tyranny or high-handedness, often used for individuals. 専断横行 is a formal compound describing a state of affairs.
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.