下马威 xià mǎ wēi

DEFINITIONS

  1. display of severity immediately on taking office
  2. (fig.) initial show of strength

CHARACTERS

下 xià
HSK 1
under, underneath, below; down; inferior; bring down
马 mǎ
HSK 3
horse; surname; KangXi radical 187
威 wēi
HSK 5
pomp, power; powerful; dominate