打狗看主人

打狗看主人

Literally means:

before you beat a dog, find out who is its master

Actually means:

pay regard to the status of the boss of the person you are going to punish

Before you beat a dog, find out who is its master; and then decide whether to beat it or not, or how to beat it.

It figuratively means that before we deal with or punish somebody, we need to consider his background, boss or supporters, and pay regard to those related to him, especially the supporters with power and influence. It often shows that we should avoid offending the powerful and influential people on whom the person being punished telies, and that we need to be lenient with him when necessary.

打狗之前要看看狗的主人是谁，再决定可以打还是不可以打，或者该怎么打。

比喻对付或处罚某人时，要考虑到他的背景或后台，要照顾到与他有关的一些人的面子，特别是支持他的那些有一定权势的人的面子。多表示应该避免得罪被处罚者所依靠的有权势的人物。必要时应要手下留情。