狐假虎威
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.
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
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.