When you put them together, the meaning is incredibly literal and clear: “Publicly obey, secretly disobey”. The structure perfectly contrasts the overt action (compliance) with the covert action (defiance).
`阳奉阴违` is deeply rooted in a culture that often prioritizes surface harmony (表面和谐, biǎomiàn héxié) and the concept of “face” (面子, miànzi) over direct confrontation. In many situations, openly disagreeing with a superior or an elder is seen as deeply disrespectful and disruptive. It causes the other person to lose face and creates conflict. Therefore, `阳奉阴违` can emerge as a strategy for navigating strict hierarchies. An employee might use it to avoid a pointless argument with their boss. A local official might use it to sidestep an impractical policy from the central government. It's a form of passive resistance that allows an individual to maintain the appearance of respect and harmony while still exercising their own agency. Comparison to a Western Concept: This is often compared to being “passive-aggressive”. While there are similarities, there's a key difference. Passive-aggression in the West is often seen as a dysfunctional way of handling personal emotions—expressing anger or resentment indirectly through actions like procrastination or the silent treatment. `阳奉阴违`, on the other hand, is less about personal emotion and more about strategic non-compliance within a power structure. It's a calculated move to manage a superior's demands without triggering direct conflict. While still seen as negative and deceitful, it's understood within the context of hierarchical pressure.
This idiom is alive and well in modern China, carrying a strong negative connotation. You would use it to criticize or accuse someone of this behavior, never to describe yourself in a positive light.