金蝉脱壳
金蝉脱壳 (jīn chán tuō qiào) literally means “golden cicada sheds shell” and expresses “strategic escape”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: jin chan tuo qiao, jin chan tuo qiao,金蝉脱壳 meaning, 金蝉脱壳 in english
Strategic escape
Pronunciation: jīn chán tuō qiào Literal meaning: Golden cicada sheds shell
Origin & Usage
The twenty-first of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, though the image is older than the list and appears freely in drama and fiction. A cicada leaves behind a complete, convincing shell, still gripping the bark in the shape of the insect: the golden cicada (金蝉) sheds (脱) its case (壳) and what the pursuer keeps watching is an empty replica. The essential part is the decoy, not the escape. It describes a withdrawal arranged so that the position appears still to be held long after it has been abandoned.
Examples
English: "He managed to escape the scrutiny by cleverly disguising his intentions."
Chinese: 他巧妙地伪装自己的意图，金蝉脱壳，逃过了审查。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
螳螂捕蝉
táng láng bǔ chán
Chasing gain, blind to danger
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脱颖而出
tuō yǐng ér chū
Stand out; distinguish oneself
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如醉如梦
rú zuì rú mèng
Entranced in dreamlike state
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妄自菲薄
wàng zì fěi bó
Underestimate oneself; excessive self-deprecation
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金戈铁马
jīn gē tiě mǎ
Magnificent military might and valor
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守时如金
shǒu shí rú jīn
Value time preciously
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金玉良言
jīn yù liáng yán
Valuable, lasting advice
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金风玉露
jīn fēng yù lù
Autumn wind and dew; autumn scenery
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 金蝉脱壳 mean in English?
金蝉脱壳 (jīn chán tuō qiào) literally translates to “Golden cicada sheds shell” and is used to express “Strategic escape”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 金蝉脱壳 used?
Situation: He managed to escape the scrutiny by cleverly disguising his intentions.
What is the pinyin for 金蝉脱壳?
The pinyin pronunciation for 金蝉脱壳 is “jīn chán tuō qiào”.