resolutely retire at the height of one's career; withdraw from a complex situation early
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
(historically) to resolutely retire from officialdom when one's career is flourishing; (modern) to withdraw wisely from a complex or dangerous situation early on
literaryOriginally described a virtuous official's retirement. Now used more broadly for any situation where one chooses to leave at the peak to avoid future trouble.
Tā他
zài在
gōng公
sī司
zuì最
huī辉
huáng煌
de的
shí时
hòu候
jí急
liú流
yǒng勇
tuì退
，
xuǎn选
zé择
qù去
huán环
yóu游
shì世
jiè界
。
He resolutely retired at the company's peak and chose to travel the world.
Zhè这
chǎng场
shāng商
zhàn战
tài太
jī激
liè烈
le了
，
tā他
jué决
dìng定
jí急
liú流
yǒng勇
tuì退
，
bǎo保
quán全
shí实
lì力
。
The business war was too intense, so he decided to withdraw early to preserve his strength.
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Gǔ古
dài代
xǔ许
duō多
zhì智
zhě者
dōu都
dǒng懂
de得
jí急
liú流
yǒng勇
tuì退
de的
dào道
lǐ理
。
Many ancient wise men understood the principle of retiring at the height of their power.