拉郎配

拉郎配

Literally means:

drag a young man into marriage

Actually means:

force two parties into cooperation

郎, a young man; 配, get married.

This phrase means in the old times of China, some parents, for fear that their daughters might be selected as maids-in-waiting to the royal court, would force a young man to marry their daughter even they didn't know him well. This phrase figuratively means forcing two parties into a certain tie without considering whether they agree or not. Derogatory

配，结婚。

拉郎配，指旧时老百姓害郎，年轻男子怕女儿在皇宫选美时被选种，强拉陌生男子与自己的女儿结婚。比喻不管条件是否合适或双方是否同意，强迫他们联合或合作。具有贬义色彩。