Chinese language vocabulary 汉语词汇 敲边鼓 (qiāo biāngǔ) Beat the drum on the side

敲边鼓 (qiāo biāngǔ) Beat the drum on the side; to speak in support of somebody; speak a good word indirectly for sb.

Usage:

 

边鼓是一种小型的鼓。戏曲表演中，主角出场前，或剧情进入紧张时刻，鼓手就以很快的动作敲响边鼓。边鼓是为突出主角和渲染气氛服务的，所以“敲边鼓”也用来比喻从一边帮腔、助势，帮说话人表达某些思想观点好让其他人认同。 (有些许贬义)。

“边 鼓”is a small dram. In drama performances, the drummer plays it quickly before the leading actors appear or when the plot enters into the tight time. “边鼓”serves for highlighting the protagonist and rendering atmosphere. So “敲边鼓”also refers to somebody speaking aside in support of others, in order to make others agree with the speaker. (This word sometimes has a derogatory sense.)

Sentences:

 

1、 Jīntiān wǎnshàng wǒ yào hé érzi hǎohāor tántan wán yóuxì de shìqing, dàoshíhou nǐ yào qiāoqiao biāngǔ.
今天晚上我要和儿子好好儿谈谈玩游戏的事情，到时候你要敲敲边鼓。

I will talk with our son about playing games tonight and then you must speak in support of me then.

 

2、 Nǐ jiù bié qiāo biāngǔ le, wǒ búhuì tóngyì tā de yìjiàn de.
你就别敲边鼓了，我不会同意他的意见的。

Please don’t speak to assist him, I will not agree to his idea.