📖 Meaning
A metaphor for skillful and ruthless means of seizing or grabbing. It describes aggressive tactics used to acquire things by force or cunning. The imagery evokes the sharp, grasping tools of predator animals.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom has no single recorded origin in classical literature. It draws on the natural imagery of a dog's teeth and an eagle's claws — both instruments of seizing prey — to form a vivid metaphor. It appears in later vernacular usage to describe predatory or exploitative methods. No specific dynasty or historical figure is firmly associated with its coinage.
💡 Example Usage
那些贪官用犬牙鹰爪搜刮民财。
Those corrupt officials used ruthless, grasping tactics to plunder the people's wealth.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 犬牙鹰爪
- Pinyin: quǎn yá yīng zhǎo
- Literal Translation: dog teeth, eagle claws
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4