虎头蛇尾
虎头蛇尾 (hǔ tóu shé wěi) literally means “tiger head snake tail” and expresses “strong start with weak finish”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving success and perseverance. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: hu tou she wei, hu tou she wei,虎头蛇尾 meaning, 虎头蛇尾 in english
Strong start with weak finish
Pronunciation: hǔ tóu shé wěi Literal meaning: Tiger head snake tail
Origin & Usage
Tang Dynasty literary critics gave us this image of a tiger's head (虎头) with a snake's tail (蛇尾) to describe works that begin powerfully but end weakly. Song Dynasty writers expanded it beyond literature to any project showing declining quality over time. The zoological mismatch perfectly captured the disappointment of strong starts fading into weak finishes.
When to Use
Situation: The novel began with dramatic intensity but ended with a weak, rushed conclusion
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 虎头蛇尾 mean in English?
虎头蛇尾 (hǔ tóu shé wěi) literally translates to “Tiger head snake tail” and is used to express “Strong start with weak finish”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Success & Perseverance category.
When is 虎头蛇尾 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving strong start with weak finish.
What is the pinyin for 虎头蛇尾?
The pinyin pronunciation for 虎头蛇尾 is “hǔ tóu shé wěi”.