feed the dragon
To outsource (jobs) to the People's Republic of China.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Many companies choose to feed the dragon to lower their production costs.”
“After the board decided to feed the dragon, the local factory closed its doors for good.”
“The corporation's strategic decision to feed the dragon sparked a heated debate regarding domestic labor standards and long-term economic stability.”
From the cultural association of the dragon as a symbol of China. The phrase makes use of this iconography to describe the provision of resources to the nation.
- 01
bite the hand that feeds one
To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).
- 02
chase the dragon
To chase after the promise of a continually fulfilling high from an addictive substance.
- 03
chicken feed
A very small or insignificant quantity, especially of money.
- 04
feed off
To get stimulus from (an external object).
- 05
feed the fire
Synonym of add fuel to the fire.
- 06
feed the meter
To place coins into a parking meter or gas meter.
- 07
feed two birds with one scone
Synonym of kill two birds with one stone.
- 08
sow dragon's teeth
To perform an action that inadvertently leads to trouble.
Last updated August 10, 2026