throw one's weight around
Meaning: To use one's power or importance in an overbearing way.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The new manager likes to throw his weight around.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Like a heavy person shoving others aside. The phrase is found from the early 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Chinese: 狐假虎威 (Hú jiǎ hǔ wēi) — literally: The fox borrows the tiger's might
- French: Rouler des mécaniques — literally: To roll one's mechanics
More idioms — Body & Senses
- swap spit — To kiss passionately (slang).
- hit the wall — To suddenly run out of energy.
- sit on one's hands — To do nothing when action is needed.
- beat someone to a pulp — To beat someone very severely.
- have had it up to here — To be completely fed up.
- a spare tire — A roll of fat around the waist.
More English idioms
- don't push your luck — Don't risk ruining a good situation by asking for more.
- on the house — Free, paid for by the business.
- make a song and dance about — To make an unnecessary fuss about something.
- yada yada yada — And so on; skipping boring details.
- wide of the mark — Inaccurate or irrelevant.
- grab a bite — To eat something quickly.
From our false friends
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