A tiger caught a fox in a forest and was about to eat it. The fox quickly said, 'You must not eat me. I am sent by Heaven to rule over all animals. Eating me would violate Heaven's command. If you doubt me, follow me and see how the other animals react.'
The tiger agreed and followed the fox through the forest. Upon seeing them, all the other animals fled in fear. The tiger, believing they were afraid of the fox, let it go. He did not realize that the animals were actually afraid of him.
This idiom describes someone who bullies or intimidates others by borrowing the power or influence of a more powerful figure.