Outwardly strong but inwardly timid; outwardly fierce but inwardly cowardly; someone who pretends to be powerful but is actually fearful or weak.
那个新来的经理虽然说话声音很大，看起来很强势，但处理危机时却总是优柔寡断，真是羊质虎皮
Although the new manager speaks loudly and seems very strong, he is always indecisive when handling crises, truly a sheep in a tiger's skin.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
Yang Kan, son of Yang Zhi, a Longxiang General in the Northern Wei Dynasty, was tall and powerfully built. He followed his father into battle at a young age, achieving distinguished military accomplishments.
The Emperor of Northern Wei summoned him to court and deliberately remarked that he was 'a sheep with a tiger's skin' (羊质虎皮).
The Emperor then challenged him to imitate a tiger. Yang Kan dug ten holes in the floor with his fingers, truly resembling a tiger. The Emperor then praised him as a true brave warrior.
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