Is there a 成语 that means something like "Little dogs always bark the loudest"?

Question

What are some 成语 that mean something like "little dogs always bark the loudest", or "little dogs are mean"?

Answer 1

In a direct translation, "咬人的狗不叫", but it's not a 成语, it's a slang.

Similar 成语：

虚张声势: pretend to be strong to make others fear.

深藏不露: very talented or strong, but hiding from the others.

不露锋芒: same meaning as above.

韬光养晦: Hide one's capacity and bide one's time(Not sure it's a good match but similar with 深藏不露)

Answer 2

Here's some supplement to Kevman's answer.

色厉内荏："A bully is always a coward，" it literally means that looking tough outside but actually stuffed with straw.

外强中干："outwardly strong and inwardly weak。"

Answer 3

Actually, I think the English saying is: All bark and no bite, which is 光说不练

Answer 4

I recommend "满瓶不动半瓶摇", which means a bottle full of water is quiet when you shake it, while a bottle with a little water makes sound when being shook. Alluding that people with rich knowledges always keep a low profile, while those people with superficial knowledge like showing off.

Answer 5

I didn't see this previously listed, and it seems to come close:

雷声大，雨点小
Loud thunder, little rain

Answer 6

I think this is similar but a bit different from "Barking dog never bites". The Chinese phrase 丑人多作怪 would be a good translation

Answer 7

人不可貌相，海水不可斗量 means do not judge a book by it's cover