拿着鸡毛当令箭

拿着鸡毛当令箭

Literally means:

use a chicken feather for a warrant to issue military orders

Actually means:

treat one's superior's casual remarks as an order and make a big fuss about it

令箭, an arrow-shaped slip, refers to the warrant with which military commanders give orders in ancient China.

This phrase figuratively means treating a superior's casual remarks as orders or make a fuss over trifles. It also means elevating one's status or intimidating others by relying on some authority. Sarcastic. Derogatory.

令箭，中国古代军队里面发布命令时所用的凭证，形状像箭。

比喻把有一定威信的人随便说的话当做命令来对待，或把小事当大事。也指利用某种权威抬高自己或吓人。含有讽刺意味。具有贬义色彩。