四两拨千斤 (sì liǎng bō qiān jīn) — to achieve a great outcome with minimal effort through leverage, skill, or clever tactics
Definition
An idiom meaning to defeat a far greater force with minimal effort through clever technique and leverage — literally 'four ounces deflects a thousand catties'. Implies strategic skill, not just luck.
idiom
to achieve a great outcome with minimal effort through leverageskillor clever tactics
Examples
- ,四两拨千斤,。Zhè pán qí, tā yòng le yì zhāo sì liǎng bō qiān jīn, qīng sōng huò shèng.In this chess game, he used a 'four ounces deflects a thousand pounds' move and won easily.
- ,四两拨千斤。Xiǎo gōng sī xiǎng yǔ dà qǐ yè jìng zhēng, jiù yào xué huì sì liǎng bō qiān jīn de dào lǐ.Small companies that want to compete with big corporations must learn the principle of 'four taels deflecting a thousand catties'.
- ,四两拨千斤。Tā bān bú dòng nà kuài shí tou, jiù yòng sì liǎng bō qiān jīn de fāng fǎ qiào le qǐ lái.He couldn't lift that rock, so he used a 'four ounces deflects a thousand pounds' method to pry it up.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.