走为上计

Pronunciation: zǒu wéi shàng jì Literal meaning: Retreat as the best plan

Origin & Usage

Wang Jingze, in rebellion during the Southern Qi, heard that his opponent was preparing to flee the capital and remarked that of Duke Tan's thirty-six stratagems, running was the best one — the earliest surviving reference to any such list, and the origin of its name. He meant it as mockery. The phrase kept the number and lost the sneer, and running (走) as the best (上) plan (计) is now offered seriously: when a position cannot be held, leaving it intact is a better outcome than being destroyed in it.

Examples

English: "When faced with overwhelming odds, sometimes the best strategy is to retreat and regroup."

Chinese: 面对压倒性的敌人，有时候走为上计是最好的策略。