如虎添翼
rú hǔ tiān yì
like a tiger that grows wings; to make the strong even stronger
Character by character
如rú
like
like
虎hǔ
tiger
tiger
添tiān
add
add
翼yì
wings
wings
Example
这支球队本来就很强，又请来一位好教练，真是如虎添翼。
The team was already strong, and with a fine coach on board it has become formidable.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Only for someone who is already strong and gains a further advantage; a weak side that improves is not 如虎添翼. Common frame: 有了…，…如虎添翼. The image goes back to a text on warfare attributed to 诸葛亮, which likens a general who holds real command to a fierce tiger given wings.
Learn this in Lesson 73 · HSK 6: 机器人与低空经济 (Robots, drones and the low-altitude economy)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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