Abstract: 100 years ago, the mathematical formulations of describing flows in shallow water and air were found to be the same sometimes, and there were quite a few similarities between tidal bore and shock wave. Consequently, research on tidal bore had a great leap forward. Later, differences between the two phenomena were thoroughly analyzed, uplifting the understanding of the tidal bore to a new level. In reviewing the process of tidal bore studies, we come to know that analog can be used as a tool at the initial stage of exploring a new field or phenomenon; then the study can be pushed forward with the methods used in other disciplines; to a certain extent, comparison should be made timely between the known phenomenon and the new one, focusing on the particularities of the new one. Through seeking common ground and exploring differences, the understanding of a new phenomenon will be more comprehensive and thorough.