Definition
牵制 means 'to pin down' or 'to restrict' — it's used for tying up enemy forces or holding back progress/development. Unlike 约束 (yuē shù), which implies constraint by rules or moral bonds, 牵制 focuses on impeding movement or action through external pressure or force.
verb
to pin downto tie up (enemy forces or a competitor)to restrictto hold back (development, progress, etc.)
Examples
- 牵制。Wǒmen xiān yòng yì zhī xiǎo duì qiān zhì zhù duìfāng de zhǔlì.We first use a small squad to pin down the enemy's main force.
- 牵制。Jìngzhēng duìshǒu de jiàngjià cèlüè qiān zhì le wǒmen de xiāoshòu.The competitor's price-cutting strategy held back our sales.
- 牵制。Zījīn bùzú yánzhòng qiān zhì le xiàngmù de jìnzhǎn.The shortage of funds seriously restricted the project's progress.
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