爪牙 (zhǎo yá) — (literal) claws and fangs of animals; (figurative, derogatory) henchman, lackey, minion

Definition

Examples

• 老虎的爪牙非常锋利，能轻易撕碎猎物。
  Lǎo hǔ de zhǎo yá fēi cháng fēng lì, néng qīng yì sī suì liè wù.
  The tiger's claws and fangs are very sharp, able to easily tear apart prey.
• 他为了钱，甘愿做黑帮老大的爪牙。
  Tā wèi le qián, gān yuàn zuò hēi bāng lǎo dà de zhǎo yá.
  For money, he is willing to be the gang boss's henchman.
• 这些爪牙是犯罪集团的重要成员。
  Zhè xiē zhǎo yá shì fàn zuì jí tuán de zhòng yào chéng yuán.
  These henchmen are important members of the criminal group.

Origin