出奇制胜
出奇制胜 (chū qí zhì shèng) literally means “use surprise to win” and expresses “unexpected strategy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: chu qi zhi sheng, chu qi zhi sheng,出奇制胜 meaning, 出奇制胜 in english
Unexpected strategy
Pronunciation: chū qí zhì shèng Literal meaning: Use surprise to win
Origin & Usage
Sun Tzu's formulation is that engagement is made with the orthodox and victory is secured (制胜) by putting out (出) the unorthodox (奇) — 奇 being the force held aside, committed where it is not expected. Tian Dan supplied the illustration a few centuries later at Jimo, tying blades to a thousand oxen, setting their tails alight and driving them into the Yan camp at night. It is worth keeping 奇 distinct from mere surprise: the character means odd in the sense of the leftover, the piece not accounted for in the enemy's arithmetic.
Examples
English: "The team's unexpected strategy caught their rivals off guard, leading to a decisive win."
Chinese: 球队出奇制胜，出乎对手的意料，取得了决定性的胜利。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
先发制人
xiān fā zhì rén
Seize initiative
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后发制人
hòu fā zhì rén
Let them commit, then move
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因地制宜
yīn dì zhì yí
Tailor to circumstances
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优胜劣汰
yōu shèng liè tài
Natural selection eliminates the unfit
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稳操胜券
wěn cāo shèng quàn
Have victory in the bag; be certain to win
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胜券在握
shèng quàn zài wò
Have victory assured; be confident of winning
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战无不胜
zhàn wú bù shèng
Win every battle; be undefeated
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旗开得胜
qí kāi dé shèng
Win at the very start; immediate success
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 出奇制胜 mean in English?
出奇制胜 (chū qí zhì shèng) literally translates to “Use surprise to win” and is used to express “Unexpected strategy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 出奇制胜 used?
Situation: The team's unexpected strategy caught their rivals off guard, leading to a decisive win.
What is the pinyin for 出奇制胜?
The pinyin pronunciation for 出奇制胜 is “chū qí zhì shèng”.