wai4 ngai6 gau3 ziu6圍魏救趙围魏救赵
Jyutpingwai4 ngai6 gau3 ziu6
Yalewàih ngaih gau jiuh
Definition
To relieve a besieged ally by attacking the enemy's home base or secondary target.
neutralother
How it's used
Originating from the Warring States period, this idiom describes a strategic maneuver where one avoids a direct confrontation with a strong force by targeting a vulnerable point elsewhere. While it is a classic military tactic, it is frequently applied in modern business, sports, or interpersonal conflicts to describe indirect problem solving. It carries a sense of cleverness and tactical foresight.
Examples
He used the strategy of attacking the enemy's base to save his friend.
Do you really need to think about using a diversionary tactic to solve the problem?
Related words
Common phrases
to employ the strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao
to adopt a diversionary strategy
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
