Check the water meter

抄水表 (chāo shuǐbiǎo): check the water meter

Top: We’re here to check the water meter! Bottom: He says their water meter is outside.

A euphemism for a house call from the police. Instead of demanding to be let in, police have been known to pretend to be from the water utility to coerce residents into opening their doors. This may also appear as 查水表 (chá shuǐbiǎo), which carries the same meaning.

See also drink tea.

Examples:

Shahulongmeier (@沙狐隆美尔): Deutsche Welle published an interview with Ai Weiwei, but I dare not to post it here. Otherwise... killers will come a long way here to check the water meter.(April 3, 2014)

德国之声发了对ai wei wei的采访，可惜不敢发，不然就。。。。杀手远程上门抄水表。。。[Chinese]