- 当头一棒 dāngtóuyíbàng a severe blowa blow on the head; a sudden and severe blow or setback that comes as a shock
- 当头棒喝 dāngtóubànghè a sharp warninga blow to the head and a loud shout; originally a Zen Buddhist practice to jolt students into enlightenment, now used to describe a sharp warning or a stunning blow that makes someone wake up to reality
- 当头炮 dāngtóupào cannon on the central lineIn Chinese chess, placing the cannon on the central line directly facing the opponent's general.
- 当头人 dāngtóurén husbandColloquial term for a husband, used by a wife when speaking about him to others
- 恶运当头 èyùndāngtóu bad luck is overheadto be struck by a period of misfortune; to have one's luck turn for the worse
- 敢字当头 gǎnzìdāngtóu to put courage firstTo put the word "dare" above everything else; used to describe being brave and acting without hesitation when facing tasks.