狐假虎威

hú jiǎ hǔ wēiidiom
to intimidate others by borrowing someone else's power

他狐假虎威地欺负同事。

He bullied his colleagues by pretending to have authority.


What It Really Means
To intimidate or bully others by pretending to have power or authority that one does not actually possess, often by leveraging someone else's influence.
Literal Meaning
A fox borrows a tiger's power.
Literal Breakdown
fox+to borrow or pretend+tiger+power or authority
Mental Image
A fox uses the tiger's power to scare other animals, symbolizing someone who uses borrowed authority to intimidate others.
When to Use
A manager who constantly threatens employees by invoking the boss's name, even though they lack real authority.
Cultural Note
This idiom originates from a fable where a fox borrows the tiger's power to scare other animals. It highlights the concept of using someone else's influence to intimidate others.
informal

To intimidate or bully others by pretending to have power or authority that one does not actually possess, often by leveraging someone else's influence.

那个经理狐假虎威,总是用老板的名义威胁员工。

The manager would bully employees by invoking the boss's name.

不要狐假虎威,自己没有能力却仗势欺人。

Don't intimidate others by relying on someone else's power when you lack your own.

This idiom is often used to criticize someone who abuses power or authority they don't truly possess.

Related Phrases

倚势欺人idiom
to bully others by relying on one's power or status
仗势欺人idiom
to bully others by relying on one's power or status

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in negative contexts to criticize someone who abuses power or authority they don't truly possess.

Gold Rule

Negative Connotation

The idiom is always used in a negative context to describe someone who is abusing power or authority.

Word Origin

The idiom comes from a fable where a fox borrows the tiger's power to scare other animals. It illustrates how someone can use another's influence to intimidate others.

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used to describe someone who uses borrowed power or authority to bully or intimidate others. It carries a negative connotation.

Word Breakdown

fox
root
+
to borrow or pretend
root
+
tiger
root
+
power or authority
root
汉英词典