noun
pretending to obey while badmouthing behind one's back
A yojijukugo describing two-faced behavior: outwardly compliant but secretly critical. Often used in formal or written contexts to criticize hypocrisy.
彼は上司には従順な態度を見せるが、陰では面従後言の典型だ。
He acts obediently toward his boss, but behind his back he's a classic example of 面従後言.
面従後言の態度は、組織の信頼を損なう。
An attitude of 面従後言 undermines trust in an organization.
A yojijukugo composed of 面 (face), 従 (obey), 後 (behind), and 言 (say). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the phrase is a classical Chinese-derived expression describing hypocritical behavior.