In the forest, a tiger caught a fox and wanted to eat it. The fox said: "You cannot eat me! I was sent by heaven to rule all the animals. Don't believe me? Follow me and see whether the animals fear me."
The tiger followed the fox. When the animals saw the tiger coming, they all fled in terror. The tiger did not realize they feared him, not the fox, so he let the fox go.
"The fox borrowing the tiger's might" means using another's power to bully others — like someone throwing their boss's name around to mistreat colleagues. Relying on borrowed power never lasts; you will be seen through.
The story: a fox was caught by a tiger. Seeing no escape, the fox had an idea and shouted: "You dare eat me? I am sent by the Heavenly Emperor to rule all animals! If you do not believe me, walk with me into the forest and see whether the animals fear me." The tiger, half doubtful, followed. Sure enough, every animal fled in terror at the sight of them. The tiger never realised they feared him - he thought they feared the fox, and let him go.
The idiom "fox borrowing the tiger might" comes from this tale. The fox used the tiger power to scare the animals; it describes people who bully others by borrowing someone else influence and throwing their weight around.
Usage: "he is just an assistant to the manager, borrowing the tiger might", or "do not put on airs by borrowing authority - I am not afraid of you." It is clearly derogatory.
The source is the Strategies of the Warring States, Chu volume. A minister told this story to warn King Xuan not to over-trust General Zhao Xixi: the northern states feared not the general but the Chu state behind him. It is both fable and a classic case of ancient political persuasion.
English parallels: a donkey in a lion skin, or bullying by borrowed power. Explain the fox and tiger roles and the story is instantly clear to foreign friends.
Modern lesson: borrowed authority may win temporary victories, but it never lasts. Truly strong people do not need another name; seeing through the fox trick requires independent thinking - do not be swayed by showy bluster.
This tale is fun for observing life: when you meet someone swaggering, ask yourself - is that authority their own, or borrowed? Seeing through it, you will not be easily intimidated. Real respect always belongs to those with genuine ability.
A usage detail: the subject of this idiom in Chinese is often derogatory - "a petty person", "a flatterer". Say it with a hint of satire: "he is a flatterer borrowing the tiger might." Using and explaining this idiom well in an exam essay impresses markers with vocabulary depth and cultural understanding.
A question often asked in idiom classes: is the fox in this story clever? Answer: clever, but misdirected. Its wit served only self-preservation and bullying, creating no real value. It reminds us that intelligence must be used well - true wisdom is not borrowing others light, but shining yourself.
