Chinese word

敲边鼓

Pronunciation

Pinyinqiāo biān gǔ

Meaning

  • verbsupport from the sidelines

Example

不要在旁边敲边鼓，直接说出你的意见。bú yào zài páng biān qiāo biān gǔ zhí jiē shuō chū nǐ de yì jiàn

Don't support from the sidelines; state your opinion directly.

Illustration for 敲边鼓 (support from the sidelines)

More examples

会议上，他表面说中立话，但在关键时刻却为老板敲边鼓。huì yì shàng tā biǎo miàn shuō zhōng lì huà dàn zài guān jiàn shí kè què wèi láo bǎn qiāo biān gǔ

At the meeting, he said neutral things on the surface, but at a crucial moment, he supported the boss from the sidelines.

Core concept

A person at the edge of a dispute or effort adds force to one side without directing the main action.

Common phrases

  • 为老板敲边鼓wèi láo bǎn qiāo biān gǔ

    support the boss from the sidelines

  • 替朋友敲边鼓tì péng yǒu qiāo biān gǔ

    support a friend from the sidelines

Similar words

帮腔bāng qiāng: Speaks in support of someone by echoing that person's words.
附和fù hè: Echoes another person's opinion to show agreement.
助威zhù wēi: Builds a person's or team's morale through cheers and applause.
捧场péng chǎng: Shows support as an audience member to liven up an event.

Definition in Chinese

指在争论或行动中不直接承担主要责任，而在一旁通过言语、表情或示意为某一方助势、增加气势的行为。zhǐ zài zhēng lùn huò xíng dòng zhōng bù zhí jiē chéng dān zhǔ yào zé rèn ér zài yì páng tōng guò yán yǔ biǎo qíng huò shì yì wèi mǒu yì fāng zhù shì zēng jiā qì shì de xíng wéi

Word origin

敲 (qiāo, "strike") + 边 (biān, "side") + 鼓 (gǔ, "drum") evokes a drummer beside an event who builds momentum for the people at its center, giving the idiom its figurative meaning.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this expression can sound mildly critical because it highlights support given without taking the central role or responsibility.

Other meanings

  • cheer someone onverb
  • take someone's sideverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word