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Home / Idiom / 先发制人

(idiom) to gain the initiative by striking first; to preempt

先发制人
xiān fā zhì rén
x+iān·1st tonef+ā·1st tonezh+ì·4th toner+én·2nd tone
Idiom
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Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
to gain the upper hand by a show of strength先声夺人xiān shēng duó rén(idiom) strike first to gain the upper hand先下手为强xiān xià shǒu wéi qiángto compete to be first · to contest first place争先zhēng xiān
Antonyms
take action after · gain mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck后发制人hòu fā zhì rén