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摇头摆尾

Word · IdiomTraditional搖頭擺尾

shake head and wag tail; look pleased with oneself

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 3 examples
1.

idiom

to shake one's head and wag one's tail; to look pleased with oneself; to act in a smug or self-satisfied manner

Originally describes animals (like dogs) wagging their tails happily when pleased. When used for humans, it often carries a slightly negative connotation of being arrogant, showing off, or being pleased with oneself over minor achievements. Can be used neutrally for animals, but often derogatory when describing human behavior.

Xiǎo小
gǒu狗
jiàn见
dào到
zhǔ主
rén人
huí回
lái来
 ,
gāo高
xìng兴
de得
yáo摇
tóu头
bǎi摆
wěi尾
 。

The puppy wagged its tail and shook its head happily when it saw its owner return.

Tā他
gāng刚
qǔ取
dé得
yì一
diǎn点
chéng成
jì绩
 ,
jiù就
dào到
chù处
yáo摇
tóu头
bǎi摆
wěi尾
de地
xuàn炫
yào耀
 。

He had only achieved a little success, yet he was strutting around everywhere showing off.

Show 1 more example
Bié别
zhěng整
tiān天
yáo摇
tóu头
bǎi摆
wěi尾
de的
 ,
yào要
qiān谦
xū虚
yì一
diǎn点
 。

Don't be so smug all the time; be a bit more humble.