“下馬威”，原指官吏初到任時(shí)對(duì)下屬顯示的威風(fēng)（severity shown by an official on assuming office），后泛指一開(kāi)始就向?qū)Ψ斤@示自己的威力（head-on blow at the first encounter）。

常用表達(dá)“給對(duì)手一個(gè)下馬威”，英文可以翻譯為“prevail over the opponent from the very first encounter”，或“secure a leading position over the opponent from the very beginning”。

例句：

xīn jīng lǐ yī lái jiù lái le yī gè xià mǎ wēi，kāi chú le jǐ gè lǎn sǎn de yuán gōng。
新經(jīng)理一來(lái)就來(lái)了一個(gè)下馬威，開(kāi)除了幾個(gè)懶散的員工。
As soon as the new manager assumed office, he showed his ruthlessness by firing several slackers.

jiào liàn yī kāi shǐ jiù gěi měi gè qiú yuán lái le yī gè xià mǎ wēi。
教練一開(kāi)始就給每個(gè)球員來(lái)了一個(gè)下馬威。
The coach begins by putting the fear of God in every ballplayer.

Editor: Jade