脅附（xié fù）

Pronunciation: xié fù

Basic Meaning: to attach oneself to someone powerful in order to gain personal benefits

Detailed Explanation: 脅附 refers to the act of attaching oneself to someone influential or powerful in order to gain personal benefits or advantages. It implies a sense of opportunism and a lack of integrity. This idiom is often used to criticize individuals who flatter or curry favor with someone in authority for their own gain.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom can be used in various situations where someone is trying to gain personal benefits by associating themselves with someone powerful. It can be used to describe someone who tries to win favor with a boss or a teacher by flattery or by offering favors.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient China. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), there was a story about a man named Zichan who attached himself to the powerful Duke Ling of Wei. Zichan was able to gain personal benefits by flattering the duke and offering him gifts. However, this story has a negative connotation as it highlights the lack of integrity and opportunism of Zichan.

Structure of the Idiom: 脅附 is a compound word made up of two characters. The first character 脅 (xié) means "to press" or "to coerce," while the second character 附 (fù) means "to attach" or "to adhere to."

Example Sentences:

1. 小明總是脅附老師，希望能得到更好的成績。

(Xiǎo Míng zǒng shì xié fù lǎo shī, xī wàng néng dé dào gèng hǎo de chéng jì.)

Xiao Ming always tries to please his teacher in order to get better grades.

2. 這位政客一直脅附權貴，希望能得到更多的政治利益。

(Zhè wèi zhèng kè yī zhí xié fù quán guì, xī wàng néng dé dào gèng duō de zhèng zhì lì yì.)

This politician has been attaching himself to the influential figures in the hope of gaining more political benefits.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of 脅附, you can think of the first character 脅 (xié) as a pressure or coercion, and the second character 附 (fù) as attaching or adhering to someone. So, the meaning of 脅附 can be understood as attaching oneself to someone powerful by applying pressure or flattery.

Extended Learning: If you would like to explore more idioms related to the theme of power and influence, you can look into idioms such as 高攀 (gāo pān, to climb high), 巴結 (bā jié, to curry favor), or 拍馬屁 (pāi mǎ pì, to flatter).

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (8-12 years old): 小明脅附同學們，希望能得到更多的糖果。

(Xiǎo Míng xié fù tóng xué men, xī wàng néng dé dào gèng duō de táng guǒ.)

Xiao Ming tries to please his classmates in order to get more candies.

2. Teenagers (13-18 years old): 她一直脅附老師，希望能得到更高的評分。

(Tā yī zhí xié fù lǎo shī, xī wàng néng dé dào gèng gāo de píng fēn.)

She has been attaching herself to the teacher in the hope of getting higher grades.

3. Adults (above 18 years old): 這位職員脅附上司，希望能得到一次晉升的機會。

(Zhè wèi zhí yuán xié fù shàng sī, xī wàng néng dé dào yī cì jìn shēng de jī huì.)

This employee is attaching himself to the boss in the hope of getting a promotion opportunity.