前倨后恭 qián jù hòu gōng

DEFINITIONS

  1. to switch from arrogance to deference (idiom)

CHARACTERS

前 qián
HSK 1
in front, forward; preceding
倨 jù arrogant, haughty, rude
后 hòu
HSK 1
queen, empress, sovereign; (simp. for 後) behind, rear, after
恭 gōng
HSK 5
respectful, polite, reverent