stroke the tiger's whiskers; offend the powerful; take a risk
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to stroke the tiger's whiskers; fig. to offend someone powerful or do something risky
neutralThis chengyu describes doing something dangerous or offending powerful people. It originates from the literal image of stroking a tiger's whiskers, which is obviously perilous.
Tā你
gǎn敢
luō捋
hǔ虎
xū须
，
zhēn真
shì是
dǎn胆
dà大
bāo包
tiān天
。
He dares to stroke the tiger's whiskers; he is truly outrageously bold.
Zài在
zhè这
ge个
quān圈
zi子
lǐ里
，
méi没
rén人
gǎn敢
luō捋
nà那
wèi位
dà大
lǎo佬
de的
hǔ虎
xū须
。
In this circle, no one dares to stroke that big shot's tiger whiskers.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Tā他
zhè这
shì是
luō捋
hǔ虎
xū须
，
chí迟
zǎo早
yào要
dǎo倒
méi霉
de的
。
He is stroking the tiger's whiskers; he will have bad luck sooner or later.