下马威 — “An initial display of authority or power to intimidate or warn others”

下马威 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “an initial display of authority or power to intimidate or warn others”. Especially upon taking a new position or encountering a new situation.

Frequency

下马威 Pronunciation and Pinyin

下马威 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
下	xià	3	below, down, next, to descend
马	mǎ	3	horse, big, large
威	wēi	9	awe-inspiring power

Example Sentence with 下马威

新来的经理一上任就给了那些懒散的员工一个下马威，要求大家严格遵守工作纪律。

The new manager immediately asserted his authority over the slacking employees, demanding strict adherence to work discipline.

Origin and Story of 下马威

During the Western Han Dynasty, Ban Bo, a young nobleman from a powerful family, voluntarily offered to serve as the Prefect of Dingxiang, a region fraught with disorder.

As soon as he arrived, the local gentry and influential families concealed all former offenders.

However, upon taking office, Ban Bo extensively hosted banquets for these gentry and influential families, befriending them.

After discerning the hiding places of the offenders, he immediately ordered their capture and execution.

Dingxiang soon achieved stability.