长袖善舞
长袖善舞 (cháng xiù shàn wǔ) literally means “long sleeves good dance” and expresses “skilled maneuvering”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: chang xiu shan wu, chang xiu shan wu,长袖善舞 meaning, 长袖善舞 in english
Skilled maneuvering
Pronunciation: cháng xiù shàn wǔ Literal meaning: Long sleeves good dance
Origin & Usage
The idiom 长袖善舞 (cháng xiù shàn wǔ) originates from the Warring States period, specifically from the text 《韩非子·五蠹》 by Han Fei. It refers to the saying '长袖善舞，多钱善贾,' meaning 'long sleeves make dancing easier, and having money makes trading easier.' This highlights how having resources or advantages can facilitate success. The idiom is associated with the story of Cai Ze, a strategist who impressed the King of Qin with his eloquence and knowledge, leading to his temporary appointment as prime minister. However, his success was short-lived, illustrating the pitfalls of relying solely on superficial skills. The characters 长 (cháng, long), 袖 (xiù, sleeve), 善 (shàn, good at), and 舞 (wǔ, dance) depict the imagery of someone adept at maneuvering through situations. In modern usage, it describes someone skilled at navigating social or political landscapes, often through manipulation or networking.
Examples
English: "Her charm and grace allowed her to navigate the corporate world with ease."
Chinese: 她的魅力和优雅使她在商界长袖善舞。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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暗度陈仓
àn dù chén cāng
Achieve secretly through misdirection
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釜底抽薪
fǔ dǐ chōu xīn
Eliminate root cause of problem
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推波助澜
tuī bō zhù lán
Amplifying existing trends or momentum
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鹬蚌相争
yù bàng xiāng zhēng
Mutual conflict benefits third party
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 长袖善舞 mean in English?
长袖善舞 (cháng xiù shàn wǔ) literally translates to “Long sleeves good dance” and is used to express “Skilled maneuvering”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 长袖善舞 used?
Situation: Her charm and grace allowed her to navigate the corporate world with ease.
What is the pinyin for 长袖善舞?
The pinyin pronunciation for 长袖善舞 is “cháng xiù shàn wǔ”.