seek patronage; curry favor with power
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to seek patronage from the powerful; to curry favor with those in high positions; to attach oneself to the rich and influential
formalOriginally alluded to attaching oneself to royalty (dragon and phoenix being imperial symbols). Now generally refers to opportunistic social climbing. The variant form 附凤攀龙 is also acceptable but less common. Often carries a negative connotation of insincerity.
Tā他
wéi为
rén人
zhèng正
zhí直
，
cóng从
bù不
pān攀
lóng龙
fù附
fèng凤
。
He is an upright person and never curries favor with the powerful.
Zài在
nà那
ge个
shí时
dài代
，
hěn很
duō多
rén人
dōu都
xiǎng想
tōng通
guò过
pān攀
lóng龙
fù附
fèng凤
lái来
shēng升
guān官
fā发
cái财
。
In that era, many people wanted to get promoted and rich by attaching themselves to the powerful.
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Wǒ我
bù不
xǐ喜
huan欢
pān攀
lóng龙
fù附
fèng凤
，
nìng宁
yuàn愿
kào靠
zì自
jǐ己
de的
néng能
lì力
qǔ取
dé得
chéng成
gōng功
。
I don't like to curry favor with the powerful; I'd rather succeed through my own abilities.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
pān攀
lóng龙
fù附
fèng凤
de的
xíng行
wéi为
ràng让
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
。
Such behavior of currying favor with the powerful is contemptible.