# 推波助澜

tuī bō zhù lán

Give further momentum to a developing trend

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Push waves and help the billows

**Traditional Chinese:** 推波助瀾

**Register:** Evaluative · general

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe amplifying events, often worsening a problem.

Frequently negative, though neutral or positive contexts exist.

## Understanding the expression

Waves already move, and an added push makes them larger. The expression describes contributing momentum to a process that has begun. It often criticizes rumor-spreading, speculation, or behavior that intensifies conflict. The contribution may seem small while still worsening the overall effect. Context can also use it for helpful promotion, but the usual caution is negative. Identify the existing trend and the added action so the source of amplification is clear.

## Examples

未经核实的转发为谣言推波助澜。

### Traditional Chinese

未經核實的轉發為謠言推波助瀾。

wèi jīng hé shí de zhuǎn fā wèi yáo yán tuī bō zhù lán 。

Unverified reposts amplify the rumor.

他的嘲笑给争吵推波助澜。

### Traditional Chinese

他的嘲笑給爭吵推波助瀾。

tā de cháo xiào gěi zhēng chǎo tuī bō zhù lán 。

His mockery intensified the argument.

广告为这股消费热潮推波助澜。

### Traditional Chinese

廣告為這股消費熱潮推波助瀾。

guǎng gào wèi zhè gǔ xiāo fèi rè cháo tuī bō zhù lán 。

Advertising gave the buying trend more momentum.

我们不该为网络欺凌推波助澜。

### Traditional Chinese

我們不該為網絡欺凌推波助瀾。

wǒ men bù gāi wèi wǎng luò qī líng tuī bō zhù lán 。

We should not amplify online bullying.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%8E%A8%E6%B3%A2%E5%8A%A9%E7%80%BE)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=634&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [推陈出新 tuī chén chū xīn Create something fresh by reworking what came before ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/tui-chen-chu-xin)

- [万象更新 wàn xiàng gēng xīn Everything takes on a fresh appearance ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wan-xiang-geng-xin)

- [亡羊补牢 wáng yáng bǔ láo It’s still worth fixing a mistake ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-yang-bu-lao)

- [危如累卵 wēi rú lěi luǎn Be in an extremely precarious state ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wei-ru-lei-luan)

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