软硬兼施 (ruǎn yìng jiān shī) — to use both the carrot and the stick; to combine gentle and tough tactics
Definition
A four-character idiom (成语) meaning to use both gentle and forceful tactics at the same time — 'carrot and stick'. Common in writing about negotiations, diplomacy, or persuasion.
idiom
to use both the carrot and the stickto combine gentle and tough tactics
Examples
- ，软硬兼施，。Tán pàn zhōng, tā men ruǎn yìng jiān shī, zhōng yú ràng duì fāng tóng yì le tiáo jiàn.During the negotiations, they used both carrot and stick and finally made the other side agree to the terms.
- ，软硬兼施，。Miàn duì kàng yì, zhèng fǔ ruǎn yìng jiān shī, jì ān fǔ yòu shī yā.Facing the protests, the government used both carrot and stick — both appeasing and applying pressure.
- 软硬兼施，。Dí rén duì tā ruǎn yìng jiān shī, dàn tā jiān chí bù tuǒ xié.The enemy used both carrot and stick on him, but he stubbornly refused to compromise.
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