centipede; literally a hundred-legged insect; often used figuratively to describe an influential person or organization that maintains power even after being defeated

literally meaning a centipede does not fall even when dead; used to describe a powerful person or group that retains influence even after their downfall or collapse

Literally "a centipede with a hundred feet does not tip over even when dead"; describes a powerful person or institution whose influence lingers even after their downfall or death.

centipede; also known as [[蜈蚣|蜈蚣|wu2 gong1]]