不怕官，只怕管

不怕官，只怕管

Literally means:

does not fear the officer, fear of being managed

Actually means:

people are not afraid of high-ranking officials, but their own immediate supervisor

Supervisor under whose direct supervision can bring more pressure than those who are in even higher positions. Such supervisors may find fault with or even take revenge on those staff members who do not follow what they say or obey them. It implies that people can do nothing but just listen to their direct supervisors.

管不到自己的职位再高也不必怕，怕的是直接管着自己的人，哪怕官位很小。能管到自己的人通常是顶头上司（直接的上级），或者必须面对的掌握一定权力的人。对诸如此类的人，往往不能违背他们的意志，如果不绝对服从，可能遭到他们的刁难或报复。这句话表达一种无可奈何，没有其他办法的心情。