10 Chinese Idioms About Deception & Clever Tricks
Explore 10 Chinese idioms about cunning strategies, deception, and outsmarting opponents - from ancient military tactics to everyday schemes.
Chinese military and political history is filled with brilliant stratagems and cunning deceptions. These 10 idioms describe the art of misdirection, exploiting chaos, and outmaneuvering opponents through wit rather than force.
混水摸鱼
hún shuǐ mō yúExploit chaos
Literal: Fish in troubled waters
The idiom 混水摸鱼 (hún shuǐ mō yú) originates from the classical Chinese military text 《三十六计》 (Thirty-Six Stratagems), specifically the stratagem of '混水摸鱼' which means 'to fish in troubled waters.' The idiom is derived from the idea that in a chaotic or confusing situation, one can take advantage of th...
Example
In the midst of the chaos, he took advantage of the situation to profit.
在混乱中，他趁机获利。
火中取栗
huǒ zhōng qǔ lìUsed by others
Literal: Take chestnuts from fire
The idiom 火中取栗 (huǒ zhōng qǔ lì) originates from a fable by Jean de La Fontaine, known as 'The Monkey and the Cat.' In this story, a monkey named Bertrand and a cat named Raton live together. One day, they see chestnuts roasting in a fire. The monkey persuades the cat to retrieve the chestnuts from ...
Example
He always finds a way to benefit while others do the hard work.
他总是能在别人辛苦时捞到好处。
坐收渔利
zuò shōu yú lìBenefit from others' conflict
Literal: Sit and collect fishing profits
The idiom 坐收渔利 (zuò shōu yú lì) originates from a story in the Han dynasty text 《战国策》 (Zhànguó Cè). It tells of a confrontation between a clam (蚌, bàng) and a sandpiper (鹬, yù) by the Yi River. The sandpiper tries to peck at the clam, which then closes its shell, trapping the bird's beak. As they st...
Example
By strategically positioning himself, he was able to benefit from the hard work of others.
通过巧妙的布局，他坐收渔利。
倒行逆施
dào xíng nì shīDefy norms
Literal: Go backwards act against
The idiom 倒行逆施 (dào xíng nì shī) originates from the historical account of Wu Zixu in the 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记, Shǐjì) by Sima Qian. During the late Spring and Autumn period, Wu Zixu's father and brother were unjustly executed by King Ping of Chu. Seeking revenge, Wu Zixu fled to the...
Example
His reckless decisions led to chaos in the organization.
他的鲁莽决定导致了组织的混乱。
长袖善舞
cháng xiù shàn wǔSkilled maneuvering
Literal: Long sleeves good dance
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...
Example
Her charm and grace allowed her to navigate the corporate world with ease.
她的魅力和优雅使她在商界长袖善舞。
将计就计
jiāng jì jiù jìCounter with strategy
Literal: Use plan follow plan
The idiom 将计就计 (jiāng jì jiù jì) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a strategic maneuver where one uses an opponent's plan against them. The phrase can be broken down into its components: 将 (jiāng, to use), 计 (jì, plan), 就 (jiù, to follow), and 计 (jì, plan). This idiom is o...
Example
He turned the tables on his opponent by using their own strategy against them.
他用对手的策略反击了他们。
里应外合
lǐ yìng wài héCoordinated collaboration
Literal: Inside support outside cooperation
The idiom 里应外合 (lǐ yìng wài hé) is commonly used in classical Chinese to describe a strategic collaboration where internal and external forces work together to achieve a common goal. The phrase is composed of four characters: 里 (lǐ, inside), 应 (yìng, respond), 外 (wài, outside), and 合 (hé, cooperate)...
Example
The plan was successful because the team coordinated perfectly with external partners.
这个计划之所以成功，是因为团队里应外合。
城下之盟
chéng xià zhī méngForced agreement
Literal: Treaty under the city walls
The idiom 城下之盟 (chéng xià zhī méng) originates from the historical account in the Spring and Autumn period, as recorded in the 'Zuo Zhuan' (左传). In 700 BCE, the state of Chu besieged the small state of Jiao, forcing its soldiers to remain within their city walls. After several failed assaults, the C...
Example
The treaty was signed under pressure, leading to a fragile peace.
在压力下签署的城下之盟导致了脆弱的和平。
纵横捭阖
zòng héng bǎi héStrategic maneuvering
Literal: Vertical and horizontal strategies
The idiom 纵横捭阖 (zòng héng bǎi hé) originates from the teachings of the ancient strategist 鬼谷子 (Guiguzi), whose real name was 王诩 (Wang Xu). He was a master of strategy and diplomacy during the Warring States period. This idiom is derived from his work, 《鬼谷子·捭阖》, where he describes the art of persuasi...
Example
In business, he skillfully navigated the negotiations to secure a favorable deal.
在商业中，他纵横捭阖，成功达成了有利的交易。
锦囊妙计
jǐn náng miào jìPrepared clever strategy
Literal: Silk pouch ingenious plan
The idiom 锦囊妙计 (jǐn náng miào jì) originates from the classic Chinese novel 《三国演义》 (Romance of the Three Kingdoms) by Luo Guanzhong. In the story, the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang provides Liu Bei with three silk pouches (锦囊, jǐn náng) containing ingenious strategies (妙计, miào jì) to navigate a ...
Example
The strategist presented a brilliant plan that turned the tide of the battle.
这位战略家提出了一个巧妙的计划，扭转了战局。
Quick Reference
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