assist from the sidelines; add support; chime in
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to assist from the sidelines; to chime in with support
informalOriginally a metaphor from Chinese opera, where musicians play the side drum to accompany the main performance. Now commonly used to describe someone who offers verbal or non-verbal support to a main speaker or argument, often to help persuade others or strengthen a position. It does not mean to be the main actor.
Tā他
zài在
tán谈
pàn判
shí时
，
péng朋
you友
zài在
yī一
páng旁
dǎ打
biān边
gǔ鼓
，
zuì最
zhōng终
shuō说
fú服
le了
duì对
fāng方
。
During the negotiation, his friend chimed in from the sidelines and eventually persuaded the other party.
Měi每
cì次
wǒ我
tí提
jiàn建
yì议
，
tā她
dōu都
huì会
bāng帮
wǒ我
dǎ打
biān边
gǔ鼓
。
Every time I make a suggestion, she always backs me up.
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Nǐ你
zhǐ只
guǎn管
shuō说
，
wǒ我
gěi给
nǐ你
dǎ打
biān边
gǔ鼓
。
You just go ahead and speak, I'll be your backup.
Zhè这
gè个
xiàng项
mù目
xū需
yào要
nǐ你
zhǔ主
dǎo导
，
wǒ我
men们
qí其
tā他
rén人
huì会
wèi为
nǐ你
dǎ打
biān边
gǔ鼓
。
You need to lead this project, and the rest of us will support you from the sidelines.