📖 Meaning
Looking at things like an eagle and walking like a wolf. It describes a person who is sinister, cunning, and ruthlessly vicious in nature. The idiom portrays someone whose very gaze and gait betray a dangerous, predatory character.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Han dynasty text 'Wu Yue Chunqiu' (Chronicles of Wu and Yue) by Zhao Ye. It was used to describe King Goujian of Yue, who was said to have a long neck, a bird-like beak, eagle-like eyes, and a wolf-like stride. The advisor Wen Zhong warned that such a man could share hardship and danger with others, but could never be trusted in times of peace and prosperity. The description proved prophetic, as Goujian later turned against those who had helped him achieve victory over Wu.
💡 Example Usage
此人鹰视狼步，心机深沉，绝不可深交。
This man has the gaze of an eagle and the stride of a wolf—deeply calculating and absolutely not to be trusted as a close friend.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鹰视狼步
- Pinyin: yīng shì láng bù
- Literal Translation: eagle, look, wolf, walk/step
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4