stratagem to delay an attack; temporary stalling tactic
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
stratagem to delay an enemy's advance; delaying tactic
formalLiteral military strategy to buy time by delaying the enemy's attack. Now often used more broadly in non-military contexts.
Jiāng将
jūn军
tí提
chū出
hé和
tán谈
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
huǎn缓
bīng兵
zhī之
jì计
。
The general's proposal for peace talks was merely a delaying tactic.
Tā他
dā答
yìng应
míng明
tiān天
gěi给
dá答
fù复
，
zhè这
xiǎn显
rán然
shì是
huǎn缓
bīng兵
zhī之
jì计
。
His promise to give an answer tomorrow is clearly a stalling tactic.
noun
strategy to temporarily ease a tense situation while preparing a solution
formalFigurative meaning: a temporary measure to de-escalate a crisis or conflict, giving oneself time to plan a proper response.
Gōng公
sī司
xiān先
dā答
yìng应
bù部
fen分
yāo要
qiú求
，
zhè这
zhǐ只
shì是
ge个
huǎn缓
bīng兵
zhī之
jì计
。
The company's agreement to some demands was just a temporary measure to buy time.
Zài在
tán谈
pàn判
xiàn陷
rù入
jiāng僵
jú局
shí时
，
tā他
tí提
chū出
xiū休
huì会
zuò作
wéi为
huǎn缓
bīng兵
zhī之
jì计
。
When negotiations reached a deadlock, he proposed a recess as a delaying tactic.