反客为主
反客为主 (fǎn kè wéi zhǔ) literally means “turn guest into host” and expresses “seize control”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: fan ke wei zhu, fan ke wei zhu,反客为主 meaning, 反客为主 in english
Seize control
Pronunciation: fǎn kè wéi zhǔ Literal meaning: Turn guest into host
Origin & Usage
The idiom 反客为主 (fǎn kè wéi zhǔ) originates from the historical context of the Three Kingdoms period, particularly involving the strategic maneuvers of Liu Bei's forces against the formidable general Xiahou Yuan. As Liu Bei advanced on Hanzhong, his advisor Fa Zheng suggested a strategy to gradually turn the tables on the defending forces, effectively transforming the 'guest' (客, kè) into the 'host' (主, zhǔ). This involved careful planning and seizing the right moment to strike, ultimately leading to a decisive victory. The idiom illustrates the concept of reversing roles and taking control of a situation. In modern usage, it describes the act of turning a disadvantageous position into an advantageous one by seizing opportunities and acting decisively.
Examples
English: "In the meeting, she took charge and redirected the discussion to her agenda."
Chinese: 在会议上，她掌控了局面，将讨论引导到她的议程上。
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 反客为主 mean in English?
反客为主 (fǎn kè wéi zhǔ) literally translates to “Turn guest into host” and is used to express “Seize control”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 反客为主 used?
Situation: In the meeting, she took charge and redirected the discussion to her agenda.
What is the pinyin for 反客为主?
The pinyin pronunciation for 反客为主 is “fǎn kè wéi zhǔ”.