political maneuvering; diplomatic tactics
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to maneuver politically; to employ diplomatic tactics of alliance and division
formalOriginating from Warring States period diplomacy. 纵 (vertical) refers to north-south alliances, 横 (horizontal) to east-west alliances; 捭 means to open/reveal, 阖 means to close/conceal. Used in formal contexts to describe strategic political maneuvering.
Tā他
shàn擅
cháng长
zòng纵
héng横
bǎi捭
hé阖
，
zài在
wài外
jiāo交
chǎng场
hé合
yóu游
rèn刃
yǒu有
yú余
。
He excels at political maneuvering and navigates diplomatic occasions with ease.
Zhàn战
guó国
shí时
qī期
，
móu谋
shì士
men们
yǐ以
zòng纵
héng横
bǎi捭
hé阖
zhī之
shù术
yóu游
shuì说
gè各
guó国
。
During the Warring States period, strategists used tactics of alliance and division to lobby various states.
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Zhè这
wèi位
zhèng政
zhì治
jiā家
zòng纵
héng横
bǎi捭
hé阖
，
zuì最
zhōng终
dá达
chéng成
le了
yǒu有
lì利
yú于
běn本
guó国
de的
lián联
méng盟
。
Through skillful diplomatic maneuvering, this politician ultimately forged an alliance favorable to his own country.