sleeping dragon
Latent formidable power
A sleeping dragon is a person, nation, or force that appears dormant but possesses latent power that could be formidable if roused.
The phrase often alludes to China, echoing Napoleon's supposed warning: Let China sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world.
More broadly, any underestimated threat or untapped potential: The small company was a sleeping dragon in the tech industry.
- slumberLight, restful unconsciousness
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- ChinaEast Asian superpower
- fire breatherOne who exhales flames
- lairAnimal's hidden dwelling
mythos · quiet storm · potential energy · trance · hidden power · symbolism · awakening · den · cave dwelling · treasure hoard · folklore · nap · doze · allegory · snooze · rest · siesta · drake
- East Asian Culturechopsticks, yin and yang, tea ceremony, origami, qi
sleeping dragonimminent threat
Danger about to occur
fire-breathing dragon · rampage · full-scale assault · ticking time bomb · live wire
sleeping, dragon, sleep, sleepy, sleepless, sleeplessness, asleep, sleeper, sleepers