攻其不备

Pronunciation: gōng qí bù bèi Literal meaning: Attack the unprepared

Origin & Usage

The idiom 攻其不备 (gōng qí bù bèi) originates from the ancient military text 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu (孙子兵法). It describes a strategy of attacking an enemy when they are unprepared (攻, attack; 其, its; 不, not; 备, prepared). This tactic emphasizes the element of surprise, striking at the opponent's weakest point when they least expect it. Historically, it has been used in various military contexts, such as in the 'Book of the Later Han' (后汉书), where it was applied in real battle scenarios. In modern times, this idiom extends beyond warfare to describe any action that takes advantage of an opponent's unpreparedness, whether in business or personal endeavors. It highlights the importance of strategic planning and timing in achieving success.

Examples

English: "In the heat of competition, they decided to strike when their opponent was unprepared."

Chinese: 在竞争的激烈中，他们决定攻其不备。