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Home / Idiom / 先礼后兵

(idiom) try persuasion before resorting to force

先礼后兵
xiān lǐ hòu bīng
x+iān·1st tonel+ǐ·3rd toneh+òu·4th toneb+īng·1st 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(lit.) execute sb first, then report to the emperor (idiom) · (fig.) to act first and report later; to take action without prior approval先斩后奏xiān zhǎn hòu zòu
Antonyms
open hostilities without declaring war · start an undeclared war不宣而战bù xuān ér zhàn