hold a strategic pass; guard a strongpoint
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to hold (a strategic location); to guard (a stronghold)
formalUsed in military, historical, or strategic contexts. It implies occupying a defensively advantageous position to block an enemy or control access.
Wǒ我
jūn军
pài派
zhòng重
bīng兵
è扼
shǒu守
zhè这
yī一
yào要
sài塞
。
Our army deployed a large force to hold this fortress.
Zhè这
ge个
shān山
kǒu口
yì易
shǒu守
nán难
gōng攻
，
yóu由
yī一
yíng营
bīng兵
lì力
è扼
shǒu守
。
This mountain pass, easy to defend but hard to attack, is held by a battalion.
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Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
è扼
shǒu守
xiǎn险
guān关
shì是
zǔ阻
dǎng挡
rù入
qīn侵
de的
guān关
jiàn键
。
In ancient times, holding strategic passes was key to blocking invasions.
Zhàn战
shì士
men们
è扼
shǒu守
zhe着
jiāo交
tōng通
yào要
dào道
，
cùn寸
bù步
bù不
ràng让
。
The soldiers held the vital communication line, not yielding an inch.
È扼
shǒu守
tiān天
xiǎn险
，
kě可
bǎo保
hòu后
fāng方
wú无
yōu忧
。
Holding a natural stronghold ensures the safety of the rear.