scarecrow; figurehead; incompetent person
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
scarecrow; a figure made of straw
A literal object placed in fields to scare birds.
Tián田
li里
lì立
zhe着
yī一
gè个
dào稻
cǎo草
rén人
，
yòng用
lái来
xià吓
hu唬
má麻
què雀
。
A scarecrow stands in the field, used to scare away sparrows.
Hái孩
zi子
men们
yòng用
jiù旧
yī衣
fu服
hé和
dào稻
cǎo草
zuò做
le了
gè个
dào稻
cǎo草
rén人
。
The children made a scarecrow using old clothes and straw.
noun
figurehead; incompetent person; someone without real power or ability
derogatoryA metaphorical usage, often derogatory, describing someone in a nominal position of authority who lacks real capability or influence.
Tā他
zài在
gōng公
sī司
zhǐ只
shì是
gè个
dào稻
cǎo草
rén人
，
méi没
yǒu有
shí实
quán权
。
He is just a figurehead in the company, with no real power.
Bié别
zhǐ指
wàng望
tā他
le了
，
tā他
jiù就
xiàng像
gè个
dào稻
cǎo草
rén人
，
yī一
tuī推
jiù就
dǎo倒
。
Don't count on him; he's like a straw man who topples at a push.
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Nà那
gè个
bù部
mén门
de的
zhǔ主
guǎn管
shì是
gè个
dào稻
cǎo草
rén人
，
suǒ所
yǒu有
jué决
dìng定
dōu都
shì是
fù副
shǒu手
zuò做
de的
。
The head of that department is a mere figurehead; all decisions are made by the deputy.