Definition
耀武扬威 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to flaunt one's strength or power' — literally 'to display one's military might and show off one's prestige.' It carries a negative or critical tone, used to describe someone who behaves arrogantly or aggressively to intimidate others, often in a boastful or bullying way. You would not use it for neutral or positive displays of strength.
f.e.
to flaunt one's strength or powerto show off one's might (usually in a boastful or intimidating way)
Examples
- 耀武扬威，。Tā gāng dāng shàng jīnglǐ jiù zài tóngshì miànqián yào wǔ yáng wēi, dàjiā dōu hěn fǎngǎn.As soon as he became manager, he started flaunting his power in front of his colleagues, and everyone found it off-putting.
- 耀武扬威，，。Nà ge shìbīng zài cūn lǐ yào wǔ yáng wēi, qīfu lǎobǎixìng, bèi zhǎngguān xùnchì le.That soldier was throwing his weight around in the village, bullying the locals, and got reprimanded by his superior.
- 耀武扬威，。Bié yǐwéi yǒu jǐ ge qián jiù kěyǐ yào wǔ yáng wēi, zuòrén yào dīdiào.Don't think you can show off your wealth and act arrogantly just because you have some money; one should be humble.
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