let he who tied the bell untie it; whoever started the trouble should end it
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
whoever started the trouble should end it; let the person who created the problem solve it
literaryOften shortened to '解铃系铃'。 Emphasizes personal responsibility and the difficulty of solving a problem if you are not the one who caused it.
Zhè这
shì是
nǐ你
yǐn引
qǐ起
de的
máo矛
dùn盾
，
jiě解
líng铃
hái还
xū需
xì系
líng铃
rén人
，
nǐ你
qù去
jiě解
jué决
ba吧
。
You started this conflict. Let he who tied the bell untie it, so you go and solve it.
Zhè这
ge个
wèn问
tí题
shì是
tā他
yī一
shǒu手
zào造
chéng成
de的
，
jiě解
líng铃
hái还
xū需
xì系
líng铃
rén人
，
wǒ我
men们
bì必
xū须
zhǎo找
tā他
tán谈
。
He alone created this problem. Whoever started the trouble should end it, so we must talk to him.
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Suǒ所
wèi谓
jiě解
líng铃
hái还
xū需
xì系
líng铃
rén人
，
jì既
rán然
shì是
tā他
dé得
zuì罪
le了
kè客
hù户
，
lǐ理
yīng应
ràng让
tā他
qù去
dào道
qiàn歉
。
As the saying goes, let he who tied the bell untie it. Since he offended the client, he should be the one to apologize.