来势汹汹

來勢洶洶

láishìxiōngxiōng

idiom #44,577

Meanings

1 to come on with formidable momentum (idiom)
2 menacing; with threatening force
3 arriving with overwhelming power

Characters

momentum; force

turbulent; raging

turbulent; raging

Examples

台风来势汹汹，大家要做好准备。

Táifēng láishìxiōngxiōng, dàjiā yào zuòhǎo zhǔnbèi.

The typhoon is bearing down with menacing force — everyone needs to prepare.

敌人来势汹汹，我们不能掉以轻心。

Dírén láishìxiōngxiōng, wǒmen bùnéng diàoyǐqīngxīn.

The enemy is coming on with formidable force — we mustn't take it lightly.

新一轮的疫情来势汹汹。

Xīn yī lún de yìqíng láishìxiōngxiōng.

The new wave of the epidemic is coming on with menacing force.

Tips

usage

Describes threats bearing down: storms, epidemics, enemies, competitors, criticism. Always negative — the thing described is dangerous or unwelcome. Natural in news and commentary.

memory

来 (coming) + 势 (momentum) + 汹汹 (roaring, surging — same 汹 as in 波涛汹涌 'raging waves'). Picture a tsunami roaring in: that's 来势汹汹.

Stroke Order

来 lái

势 shì

汹 xiōng