Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) that paints a vivid picture: a dragon fighting a tiger — two mythical powerhouses going head-to-head. You use it to describe a fierce, evenly-matched contest between two strong opponents, whether in sports, business, or battle. The literal image is more intense than the English 'close match'; it carries the energy of a real showdown.
idiom
a fierce struggle between two evenly-matched opponentsa real showdown
Examples
- 龙争虎斗，。Zhè chǎng bǐsài zhēnshi lóng zhēng hǔ dòu, shuāngfāng shílì dōu hěn qiáng.This match was a real dragon-and-tiger fight — both sides were very strong.
- 龙争虎斗，。Liǎng jiā gōngsī lóng zhēng hǔ dòu, dōu xiǎng ná xià zhège xiàngmù.The two companies are locked in a fierce struggle, both wanting to win this project.
- 龙争虎斗，。Juésài zhōng liǎng duì lóng zhēng hǔ dòu, guānzhòng kàn de fēicháng guòyǐn.In the finals, the two teams fought fiercely, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
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