前呼后拥
qián hū hòu yōng
with attendants shouting ahead and crowding behind; surrounded by an entourage
Character by character
前qián
front
front
呼hū
shout
shout
后hòu
behind
behind
拥yōng
throng
throng
Example
那位明星一下飞机，就在保安和助理的前呼后拥下上了车。
The moment the star stepped off the plane, she was swept into a car by a crowd of bodyguards and assistants.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
Once said of officials whose runners cleared the road ahead; now of stars, bosses and VIPs, often with a touch of irony about the pomp. Common frames: 在……的前呼后拥下, 前呼后拥地走进来.
Learn this in Lesson 233 · HSK 9+: 横店的群演 (The extras of Hengdian)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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