latch onto a powerful person; curry favor with the influential
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to latch onto a powerful person; to curry favor with the influential; to cling to bigwigs
derogatoryThis idiom is derogatory and vividly describes the act of ingratiating oneself with someone in power for personal gain. It often implies a lack of integrity and is used in informal contexts.
Tā他
méi没
zhēn真
běn本
shi事
，
jiù就
huì会
bào抱
cū粗
tuǐ腿
，
pāi拍
lǐng领
dǎo导
mǎ马
pì屁
。
He has no real skills, he just latches onto powerful people and flatters the leaders.
Zài在
nà那
ge个
quān圈
zi子
lǐ里
，
hěn很
duō多
rén人
dōu都
xiǎng想
bào抱
tā他
de的
cū粗
tuǐ腿
。
In that circle, many people want to curry favor with him because of his influence.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Bié别
zǒng总
xiǎng想
zhe着
bào抱
cū粗
tuǐ腿
，
yào要
kào靠
zì自
jǐ己
nǔ努
lì力
chéng成
gōng功
。
Don't always think about clinging to bigwigs; rely on your own hard work to succeed.