鲸吞虎据 whale swallowing, tiger seizing
Explanation
比喻强大的势力吞并或占据弱小的势力。形容兼并吞食，极力扩张势力范围。
A metaphor for a powerful force swallowing up or occupying a weak force. Describes mergers and acquisitions, and striving to expand one's sphere of influence.
Origin Story
话说东汉末年，天下大乱，群雄逐鹿。当时，有一个非常强大的诸侯，名叫曹操。他凭借着强大的军事实力，四处征战，鲸吞虎据，不断扩张自己的势力范围。他先攻打徐州，消灭了陶谦；接着又攻打荆州，消灭了刘表；最后又攻打益州，消灭了刘璋。他一路势如破竹，所向披靡，最终统一了北方，成为了北方的霸主。曹操的势力越来越大，对南方形成了巨大的威胁。东汉朝廷眼看大势已去，只能眼睁睁地看着曹操鲸吞虎据，最终灭亡。
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the country was in turmoil, and the heroes were fighting for supremacy. At that time, there was a very powerful feudal lord named Cao Cao. Relying on his strong military strength, he fought everywhere, swallowing up and occupying, constantly expanding his sphere of influence. He first attacked Xuzhou and eliminated Tao Qian; then he attacked Jingzhou and eliminated Liu Biao; finally he attacked Yizhou and eliminated Liu Zhang. He was unstoppable and invincible along the way, eventually unifying the north and becoming the overlord of the north. Cao Cao's power grew stronger and stronger, posing a great threat to the south. The Eastern Han court saw that the situation was hopeless and could only watch helplessly as Cao Cao swallowed up and occupied, eventually leading to its demise.
Usage
用来形容强大的势力兼并或吞并弱小的势力，多用于贬义。
Used to describe how a powerful force merges or swallows up a weaker force, mostly used with a derogatory connotation.
Examples
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北方的游牧民族不断南下，鲸吞虎据中原大地。
beifang de youmu minzu buduan nanxia,jingtunhuju zhongyuan dadi.
The northern nomadic tribes constantly moved south, swallowing up and occupying the central plains.
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经过几年的兼并，这家公司已经鲸吞虎据，成为行业巨头。
jingguo ji nian de bianbing, zhe jia gongsi yijing jingtunhuju,cheng wei hangyejutou
After several years of mergers and acquisitions, this company has become an industry giant, dominating its market like a whale and tiger.