仗势欺人
zhàng shì qī rén
to use one’s power or position to bully others
Character by character
仗zhàng
rely on
rely on
势shì
power
power
欺qī
bully
bully
人rén
people
people
Example
这个经理仗势欺人，动不动就当众骂员工，大家心里都很不满。
This manager throws his weight around, forever shouting at staff in front of everyone, and they all resent him for it.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
仗 is to rely on, as in 仗着; 势 is power or backing, as in 权势. Said of bosses, officials and the relatives or hangers-on of the powerful; 狗仗人势 (a dog relying on its master) is the coarser version.
Learn this in Lesson 182 · HSK 7–9: 讨个说法 (Getting what you are owed)
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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