Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'tiger's head, snake's tail'. It describes a situation where someone starts a task with great enthusiasm and energy, like a tiger's head, but finishes poorly or weakly, like a snake's tail. You can use it to criticize projects, studies, or performances that begin well but end disappointingly.
id.
to start off strong but fizzle outa fine start with a poor finish
Examples
- 虎头蛇尾，，。Tā zuò shì zǒngshì hǔ tóu shé wěi, kāitóu hěn rènzhēn, hòulái jiù bù guǎn le.He always starts strong but fizzles out — very serious at the beginning, then he stops caring.
- 虎头蛇尾，。Zhège xiàngmù bù néng hǔ tóu shé wěi, yídìng yào jiānchí dào dǐ.This project can't start strong but end weak; we must persist to the end.
- 虎头蛇尾，，。Hěn duō xuéshēng xuéxí xīn yǔyán dōu huì hǔ tóu shé wěi, yī kāishǐ rèqíng hěn gāo, mànmàn jiù fàngqì le.Many students start learning a new language with great enthusiasm but slowly give up — a classic tiger's head, snake's tail.
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