为虎作伥

為虎作倀

wèihǔ-zuòchāng

idiom #61,366

Meanings

1 to act as a chang-ghost for a tiger
2 to help a villain do evil
3 to be an accomplice to wrongdoing

Characters

for / on behalf of

chang-ghost (a tiger's victim turned lure)

Examples

HSK 6

不要为虎作伥，帮助骗子害人。

Búyào wèihǔ-zuòchāng, bāngzhù piànzi hàirén.

Don't be an accomplice helping scammers hurt people.

HSK 7-9

他明知对方是坏人，还为虎作伥。

Tā míngzhī duìfāng shì huàirén, hái wèihǔ-zuòchāng.

He knew the other side were criminals and still helped them do wrong.

HSK 7-9

他拒绝为虎作伥，站出来揭发了黑幕。

Tā jùjué wèihǔ-zuòchāng, zhàn chūlái jiēfā le hēimù.

He refused to be an accomplice and stepped out to expose the scandal.

Tips

history

From 《太平广记》 and Song-dynasty 孙光宪's 《北梦琐言》: a 伥 was said to be the ghost of a person eaten by a tiger. The ghost was forced to serve the tiger, walking ahead to lure other victims into the tiger's path. The most chilling image of being made an accomplice against your will.

Stroke Order

为 wéi

虎 hǔ

作 zuò

伥 chāng