打死虎

dǎ sǐhǔ

phrase

Meanings

1 to beat a dead tiger
2 to attack someone who has already lost power
3 to pile on after the fall

Characters

Examples

HSK 7-9

他下台之后，媒体纷纷打死虎。

Tā xiàtái zhīhòu, méitǐ fēnfēn dǎ sǐhǔ.

After he was ousted, the media all piled on the fallen man.

HSK 7-9

这种打死虎的文章没什么意思。

Zhèzhǒng dǎ sǐhǔ de wénzhāng méishénme yìsi.

Articles attacking someone already down aren't worth much.

HSK 7-9

别趁人家落难打死虎。

Bié chèn rénjia luònàn dǎ sǐhǔ.

Don't kick someone when they're already down.

Tips

usage

Implies cowardice or cheapness - the tiger is already dead, the 'attack' costs nothing and proves nothing. Similar idea in English 'kick someone when they're down.'

Stroke Order

打 dǎ

死 sǐ

虎 hǔ