摇旗呐喊

搖旗吶喊
yáoqí-nàhǎn
idiom #42,086

Meanings

  1. 1 to wave flags and shout battle cries
  2. 2 to cheer someone on loudly; to drum up support for another's cause

Examples

HSK 6
Tā suīrán bù shì zhǔjué, què yìzhí wèi péngyou yáoqí-nàhǎn.
He wasn't the main player, but he kept cheering his friends on from the side.
HSK 7-9
Bǐsài shí lālāduì zài chǎng biān yáoqí-nàhǎn.
During the match the cheer squad waved flags and roared from the sidelines.

Tips

history
From the Yuan zaju 《两世姻缘》 by Qiao Mengfu - 你这般摇旗呐喊,簸土扬沙 ('you're there waving flags and shouting, kicking up dust'). Originally the foot-soldier's role in battle: not fighting, but making noise to back up others.
usage
Often slightly deflating when applied to adults - suggests the person isn't the main actor, just a loud supporter. Neutral to positive when applied to fans/cheerleaders.

Stroke Order

yáo
hǎn