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. The idiom means using strategy to win an opponent's 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.
