to kill and burn; used to describe violent crimes or acts of extreme lawlessness and brutality

(idiom) High officials are free to do whatever they want while common people are restricted; also used to criticize anyone who abuses power to indulge in mischief while forbidding others from exercising their rights. Usually used as part of the longer phrase [[只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯|只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈|zhi3 xu3 zhou1 guan1 fang4 huo3 bu4 xu3 bai3 xing4 dian3 deng1]].

Describes a situation where those in power are allowed to do whatever they want, while ordinary people are forbidden from even the most basic activities; often implies double standards or hypocrisy by superiors toward their subordinates.