摇尾乞怜 yáo wěi qǐ lián — to grovel for mercy like a dog wagging its tail

摇尾乞怜
yáo wěi qǐ lián

Characters: 摇 · 尾 · 乞 · 怜

Definitions

  1. to grovel for mercy like a dog wagging its tail

More definitions

CC-CEDICT

  1. lit. to behave like a dog wagging its tail, seeking its master's affection (idiom)
  2. fig. to fawn on sb
  3. to bow and scrape
  4. to grovel

zdic(汉典)

  1. 像狗摇动尾巴讨好主人般谄媚求宠。形容人卑躬屈膝向他人献媚求饶的模样。
  2. 比喻毫无尊严地向人哀求讨饶。

ExtDict

  1. 乞：乞求
  2. 怜：怜悯。狗摇着尾巴向主人乞求爱怜。比喻装出一副可怜相向人讨好。

Examples

  • 他向对手摇尾乞怜，全无骨气。

    He groveled to his opponents, utterly spineless.

  • 有气节的人，绝不向权势摇尾乞怜。

    A person of integrity never grovels to power.