📖 Meaning
To swagger about flaunting one's military power or authority, making an ostentatious show of strength to intimidate others. It describes someone who parades their power arrogantly to impress or overawe those around them.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Yuan dynasty play 'Two Lifetimes of Marriage' (两世姻缘), Act 3, by the playwright Qiao Mengfu (乔孟符). In the scene, a character challenges another who is making a threatening display of force with the words, 'You swagger and flaunt your military might — what do you intend to do?' The idiom came to be used widely to describe anyone who ostentatiously shows off their power or authority.
💡 Example Usage
敌军将领耀武扬威地率部进城，百姓无不侧目而视。
The enemy general swaggered into the city at the head of his troops, flaunting his might as the townspeople looked on with averted eyes.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 耀武扬威
- Pinyin: yào wǔ yáng wēi
- Literal Translation: flaunt military prowess, display might
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4