A tiger once caught a fox, intending to eat it. The fox said,

“I am appointed by the Heavenly Emperor as the king of all beasts. If you eat me, you will be punished by heaven.”

The tiger did not believe the fox, so the fox proposed,

“Follow me into the forest, and you will see that all the animals fear me.”

As they walked together, the other animals saw the tiger behind the fox and fled in fear. Seeing this, the tiger believed the fox and let it go.

Let’s review this idiom:

  • Idiom: 狐假虎威 (Hú Jiǎ Hǔ Wēi)
  • Pinyin: hú jiǎ hǔ wēi
  • English Translation: the fox exploits the tiger’s might
  • Extended Meaning: Used to describe a person who intimidates others by relying on the power or influence of someone else. It criticizes those who bully through borrowed authority.