围而不攻

Pronunciation: wéi ér bù gōng Literal meaning: Surround but do not attack

Origin & Usage

Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 围而不攻 (wéi ér bù gōng) paints a vivid picture of a strategic military tactic. The characters 围 (wéi) mean 'to surround,' while 不攻 (bù gōng) mean 'not to attack.' This idiom describes a situation where an army surrounds an enemy but deliberately chooses not to attack. This tactic can be used to cut off supplies and force a surrender without direct confrontation. In modern contexts, it suggests a strategy of exerting pressure without immediate action, often to gain a psychological advantage or to wait for a more opportune moment.

Examples

English: "In negotiations, it's often wise to surround your opponent with options without direct confrontation."

Chinese: 在谈判中，围而不攻往往是明智的选择。