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剑拔弩张

劍拔弩張
jiànbá-nǔzhāng
idiom #28,177

Meanings

  1. 1 with swords drawn and bows bent
  2. 2 at daggers drawn
  3. 3 in a state of high tension and mutual hostility

Examples

两国边境局势剑拔弩张，随时可能爆发冲突。
Liǎng guó biānjìng júshì jiànbánǔzhāng, suíshí kěnéng bàofā chōngtū.
The border situation between the two countries is extremely tense, with conflict liable to erupt at any moment.
他们两人剑拔弩张，谁也不肯让步。
Tāmen liǎng rén jiànbánǔzhāng, shuí yě bùkěn ràngbù.
The two of them faced off at daggers drawn, neither willing to back down.

Tips

memory
Picture the literal scene: 剑 (sword) drawn out (拔), crossbow (弩) fully stretched (张). Every weapon is ready to fire — pure standoff energy.

Stroke Order

剑 jiàn
拔 bá
弩 nǔ
张 zhāng