- 下马威 xiàmǎwēi initial show of strengthA display of severity or power shown immediately upon taking office or at the very start of a conflict to intimidate others and break their spirit.
- 拉下马 lāxiàmǎ to overthrowTo pull someone off their horse; figuratively used to mean to unseat a person in power or depose someone from a leadership position
- 下马看花 xiàmǎkànhuā to conduct field researchTo stay in a place and conduct deep, careful investigation; used especially for officials or intellectuals going to work in the countryside or factories to gain practical experience. Contrast with [[走马观花|走馬觀花|zou3 ma3 guan1 hua1]].
- 舍得一身剐,敢把皇帝拉下马 shědeyīshēnguǎgǎnbǎhuángdìlāxiàmǎ to be fearlessOne who does not fear the death of a thousand cuts will dare to unhorse the emperor; to a fearless person, no obstacle is too great.