if only the tsar knew

English

Etymology

A phrase attributed to Russian peasants who suffered mistreatment in the tsarist era. Peasants in the tsarist era often attributed their misfortunes to the aristocracy and imperial administration, believing the tsar did not know of injustices being committed and, if he did, would immediately correct them. Compare good tsar, bad boyars and German wenn das der Führer wüsste.

Phrase

if only the tsar knew

1. (chiefly sarcastic) If only somebody at the top of an abusive hierarchy were aware of the abuses, they would take action to stop them.

Alternative forms

• if only the czar knew