flying tigers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “flying tigers” mean?
A historical US volunteer air combat unit aiding China before and during WWII.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical US volunteer air combat unit aiding China before and during WWII.
Often used as a nickname for air squadrons or sports teams known for aggressiveness or speed; can refer metaphorically to any fast, fierce, or heroic group operating against the odds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties understand the historical reference equally. In the US, it is slightly more likely to be used as a team nickname.
Connotations
Connotes heroism, volunteerism, daring aerial combat, and US-China WWII alliance.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech. More common in historical texts and contexts related to aviation history.
Grammar
How to Use “flying tigers” in a Sentence
the Flying Tigerslike the Flying TigersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flying tigers” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pilots were flying Tiger aircraft.
American English
- The pilots were flying P-40s for the Tigers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; possibly as a metaphor for a disruptive, fast-moving startup team.
Academic
Used in historical, military, and Sino-American relations studies.
Everyday
Rare; mainly by history enthusiasts.
Technical
Used in military aviation history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flying tigers”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flying tigers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flying tigers”
- Using 'Flying Tigers' as a plural common noun without 'the' (e.g., 'I saw flying tigers' vs. 'I read about the Flying Tigers').
- Confusing them with the later, official USAAF 23rd Fighter Group.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Initially, no. They were a volunteer group of American pilots and ground crew recruited to aid China before the US officially entered WWII. They were later absorbed into the US Army Air Forces.
Their P-40 fighter planes often had shark-faced nose art, which some thought resembled tigers. Also, the name was chosen for its intimidating and fierce connotations.
It is treated as a plural noun when referring to the group of people (e.g., 'The Flying Tigers were...'). It is singular when referring to the unit as an entity (e.g., 'The Flying Tigers was a unique formation...').
Yes, but it is a clear metaphorical reference to the original unit. It implies speed, ferocity, and aerial capability, e.g., 'The new drone squadron are the flying tigers of modern warfare.'
A historical US volunteer air combat unit aiding China before and during WWII.
Flying tigers is usually formal/historical in register.
Flying tigers: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈtaɪ.ɡəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈtaɪ.ɡɚz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “They fought like Flying Tigers.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of tigers with wings: fierce, fast, and airborne, just like the famous pilots.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GROUP IS A PREDATOR (specifically, a fierce, agile aerial predator).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'Flying Tigers' primarily refer to?