wave a big flag and use a tiger skin; use a big name to impress
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb phrase
to borrow a prestigious banner to act as tiger skin; to use a big name to intimidate and deceive
informalOften used to criticize someone who pretentiously uses the authority or reputation of a person, organization, or ideology to give themselves an air of importance and to mislead others. The phrase is derived from imagery: 'pulling up a big flag' (borrowing authority) and 'making tiger skin' (using a fearsome disguise).
He has no real skill; he's just borrowing his supervisor's prestige to act as tiger skin and intimidate people.
Some pseudo-experts love to wave a big flag and use a tiger skin, packaging themselves with a bunch of titles.
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Don't listen to him waving a big flag and using a tiger skin; those theories he talks about don't hold water at all.
This company is waving a big flag and using a tiger skin, claiming to collaborate with several international giants, but actually they just bought their ordinary products.