下马威什么意思_下马威的含义

“下马威”，原指官吏初到任时对下属显示的威风（severity shown by an official on assuming office），后泛指一开始就向对方显示自己的威力（head-on blow at the first encounter）。

例句：

xīn jīng lǐ yī lái jiù lái le yī gè xià mǎ wēi，kāi chú le jǐ gè lǎn sǎn de yuán gōng。 新经理一来就来了一个下马威，开除了几个懒散的员工。 As soon as the new manager assumed office, he showed his ruthlessness by firing several slackers.

jiào liàn yī kāi shǐ jiù gěi měi gè qiú yuán lái le yī gè xià mǎ wēi。 教练一开始就给每个球员来了一个下马威。 The coach begins by putting the fear of God in every ballplayer.