Definition
拉下马 is a verb-object phrase (离合词) that literally means 'to pull down from a horse' but is used figuratively to mean 'to depose' or 'to overthrow' someone in power. As a separable verb, you can split it: 拉 + [person] + 下马 (e.g., 拉总统下马), or use the 把 construction (把某人拉下马).
v.o.
(figurative, verb-object) to deposeto overthrow (someone in power)
Examples
- 拉下马。Rénmín zhōngyú bǎ nà ge dúcáizhě lā le.The people finally deposed that dictator.
- 。Zhèxiē jūnguān xiǎng lā zǒngtǒng xià mǎ.These military officers want to overthrow the president.
- 拉下马。Tāmen tōngguò xuǎnjǔ bǎ fǔbài de zhèngfǔ lā le.They overthrew the corrupt government through elections.
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