to assume a bold posture but delay action; to make a show of force
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to prance a horse and bend a bow; to assume an impressive posture but hold back from action
literaryUsed to describe someone who makes a great show of preparation or intention but delays the decisive act. Often implies a strategic delay or a deliberate show of force.
Tán谈
pàn判
shí时
，
tā他
pán盘
mǎ马
wān弯
gōng弓
，
chí迟
chí迟
bù不
kěn肯
liàng亮
chū出
dǐ底
pái牌
。
During the negotiation, he made a great show of force but delayed revealing his bottom line.
Duì对
fāng方
bù不
guò过
shì是
pán盘
mǎ马
wān弯
gōng弓
，
xū虚
zhāng张
shēng声
shì势
bà罢
le了
，
wǒ我
men们
bù不
bì必
guò过
yú于
jǐn紧
zhāng张
。
The other side is merely prancing the horse and bending the bow—it's just a bluff; we don't need to be overly nervous.
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Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhāng章
de的
yǐn引
yán言
xiě写
dé得
pán盘
mǎ马
wān弯
gōng弓
，
diào吊
zú足
le了
dú读
zhě者
wèi胃
kǒu口
。
The introduction of this article is written like a poised archer, skillfully building up the readers' anticipation.