先发制人 (xiān fā zhì rén) — to preemptively strike; to gain the initiative by acting first
Definition
An idiom meaning to strike first and seize the initiative, gaining the upper hand before the opponent can act. Originally military (from Sunzi), now used broadly for business, competition, and negotiation.
idiom
to preemptively striketo gain the initiative by acting first
Examples
- ，先发制人，。Zài zhè cì jìng zhēng zhōng, wǒ men jué dìng xiān fā zhì rén, tí qián tuī chū xīn chǎn pǐn.In this competition, we decided to preemptively strike by launching the new product early.
- ，先发制人，。Xiàng qí bǐ sài zhōng, tā xiān fā zhì rén, xùn sù jiāng sǐ le duì fāng.In the chess match, he seized the initiative and quickly checkmated his opponent.
- ，先发制人，。Tán pàn kāi shǐ shí, wǒ fāng xiān fā zhì rén, tí chū le yí gè ràng duì fāng wú fǎ jù jué de tiáo jiàn.At the start of the negotiations, our side took the initiative by putting forward a condition the other party couldn't refuse.
Appears in
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