- play the jackal to the tiger; abet one's enemy; act as the paws of the tiger; assist the evildoer; hold a candle to the devil; help an evil man (do evil); help a villain do evil; help the tiger to pounce on [upon] its victims:
The local bully's henchmen were his agents in oppressing the people.
土豪劣绅的狗腿子为虎作伥,欺压百姓。