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七擒七纵

七擒七縱
qīqínqīzòng
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to capture and release seven times
  2. 2 to win someone over by magnanimity; to use strategic leniency to secure genuine submission

Examples

诸葛亮七擒七纵孟获，终于令其归顺。
Zhūgě Liàng qīqínqīzòng Mèng Huò, zhōngyú lìng qí guīshùn.
Zhuge Liang captured and released Meng Huo seven times until he finally submitted.
谈判中不妨用七擒七纵的策略。
Tánpàn zhōng bùfáng yòng qīqínqīzòng de cèlüè.
In negotiations it's fine to use a 'capture-and-release' strategy.

Tips

history
From 《三国志·蜀志·诸葛亮传》 and Pei Songzhi's citation of 《汉晋春秋》: during Zhuge Liang's 225 southern campaign he captured the Nanzhong chieftain Meng Huo (孟获) seven times and released him each time until Meng Huo submitted wholeheartedly. Per Xinhua: 比喻运用策略，使对方心服 — 'a metaphor for using strategy to win true submission'.
usage
Used today for any contest where you let an opponent off the hook on purpose so that when you finally pin them down they have no more excuses — common in business negotiations, sports commentary, and political essays.

Stroke Order

七 qī
擒 qín
纵 zòng