回马枪 (huí mǎ qiāng) — a sudden counterattack that catches the opponent off guard (figurative); (literally) a back thrust in horseback combat
Definition
A set military/figurative phrase: literally a back-thrust spear from horseback, now used for a sudden counterattack that catches the enemy off guard. Usually appears with 杀了个∼ or 给…一个∼.
noun
a sudden counterattack that catches the opponent off guard (figurative)(literally) a back thrust in horseback combat
Examples
- ，回马枪。Tā jiǎ zhuāng lí kāi, tū rán shā le gè huí mǎ qiāng.He pretended to leave and then suddenly came back with a surprise attack.
- 回马枪，。Tán pàn shuāng fāng dōu zhǔn bèi le huí mǎ qiāng, xiǎng dǎ duì fāng yí gè cuò shǒu bù jí.Both sides in the negotiation prepared a sudden countermove, hoping to catch the other off guard.
- 回马枪，。Zhè yì zhāo huí mǎ qiāng zài bīng fǎ zhōng cháng jiàn, mù dì shì yòu dí shēn rù.This "back spear" tactic is common in military strategy, intended to lure the enemy deeper.
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