📖 Meaning
The intimidating authority produced when a fox and a tiger act in collusion with each other. It serves as a metaphor for powerful officials and their henchmen conspiring together to wield tyrannical power over others.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom traces back to the 'Zhanguoce' (Strategies of the Warring States), compiled during the Western Han dynasty. In the tale, a tiger catches a fox, but the fox claims it is sent by Heaven as king of all beasts and challenges the tiger to follow it. Wherever the fox walks, the beasts flee in terror; the tiger, unaware they are actually fleeing from itself rather than the fox, believes the fox commands such awe. The idiom extends this fable to condemn those who, by allying with powerful figures, borrow that strength to bully and oppress others.
💡 Example Usage
地方豪绅借着官府势力，到处作威作福，实乃狐虎之威。
The local gentry, relying on the authority of the officials, throw their weight around everywhere — a true display of the fox-and-tiger's borrowed power.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 狐虎之威
- Pinyin: hú hǔ zhī wēi
- Literal Translation: fox, tiger, of, power
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4