cling to the powerful; attach oneself to the influential
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 2 examplesverb
to attach oneself to the phoenix and cling to the dragon; to cling to the powerful and influential; to curry favor with those in high positions
literaryA variant of 攀龙附凤 (the more common form). Often used to describe opportunistic behavior of attaching oneself to people of power and influence. Can carry a slightly negative or critical connotation implying insincere social climbing.
Tā他
zǒng总
xiǎng想
fù附
fèng凤
pān攀
lóng龙
，
jié结
jiāo交
quán权
guì贵
yǐ以
tí提
shēng升
zì自
jǐ己
de的
dì地
wèi位
。
He always wants to cling to the powerful and make friends with influential people to elevate his own status.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
xǔ许
duō多
wén文
rén人
tōng通
guò过
fù附
fèng凤
pān攀
lóng龙
lái来
huò获
dé得
shì仕
tú途
de的
jī机
huì会
。
In ancient times, many scholars obtained opportunities for official careers by attaching themselves to the powerful.