local bully; local tyrant
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesnoun
local bully; local snake; local tyrant who preys on the people
derogatoryMetaphorical term comparing a local villain to a venomous snake. It implies the person has entrenched local power and influence and uses it to oppress others. Used in formal and informal contexts.
Tā他
shì是
zhè这
lǐ里
de的
dì地
tóu头
shé蛇
，
méi没
rén人
gǎn敢
rě惹
tā他
。
He's the local bully here; nobody dares to cross him.
Xīn新
guān官
shàng上
rèn任
，
dì第
yī一
jiàn件
shì事
jiù就
shì是
yào要
zhěng整
zhì治
zhè这
bāng帮
dì地
tóu头
shé蛇
。
The new official's first task upon taking office was to deal with these local despots.
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Zhè这
ge个
shì市
chǎng场
bèi被
jǐ几
ge个
dì地
tóu头
shé蛇
kòng控
zhì制
le了
，
shāng商
fàn贩
men们
gǎn敢
nù怒
bù不
gǎn敢
yán言
。
This market is controlled by a few local bullies; the vendors are angry but dare not speak out.
Qiáng强
lóng龙
bù不
yā压
dì地
tóu头
shé蛇
。
A powerful dragon cannot crush a snake in its own lair. (Proverb: An outsider should not challenge a local power on its home ground.)
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
xiàn现
zài在
xiāo嚣
zhāng张
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
ge个
qī欺
ruǎn软
pà怕
yìng硬
de的
dì地
tóu头
shé蛇
bà罢
le了
。
Don't be fooled by his bluster; he's just a local bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong.