下馬威xià mǎ wēia head-on blow at the first encounter; put on airs right at the beginning of one’s office;severity shown by an official on assuming office; start off with a great show of pomp and circumstance; the severity of a newly-appointed official
? 座山雕三分鐘一句話也沒問，他是在施～，這是他在考查所有的人慣有的手法，……(曲波《林海雪原》215)For three full minutes the Eagle said not a word. He used this method to cow whomever he questioned at the start.It was an effective trick.
? 今天要不先來個～，往后在這里可就玩不轉(zhuǎn)啦。(石文駒《戰(zhàn)地紅纓》216)You’ll get nothing out of them except when you deal them a head-on blow at today’s first encounter. 下馬威xia ma weiseverity shown by an official on assuming office 下馬威severity of a newly-appointed official
給他個～deal him a head-on blow at the first encounter |