收兵

shōubīng

verb #67,668

Meanings

1 to withdraw troops
2 to recall the army
3 (fig.) to call it a day
4 to wind up a job

Characters

collect, gather

soldier, troops

Examples

天色已晚，将军下令收兵。

Tiānsè yǐ wǎn, jiāngjūn xiàlìng shōubīng.

It was getting dark, so the general ordered the troops to withdraw.

活儿还没干完，怎么能收兵呢？

Huór hái méi gàn wán, zěnme néng shōubīng ne?

The work isn't done - how can we call it a day?

项目还差最后一步，绝不能现在收兵。

Xiàngmù hái chà zuìhòu yí bù, jué bùnéng xiànzài shōubīng.

The project is one step from completion; we absolutely can't wrap up now.

Tips

usage

Originally a military command. The figurative sense - 'wrap up / call it a day' - is now far more common. Frequently used with negation: 不能收兵, 没法收兵 = the task is far from over.

memory

Visualize 收 (gather up) + 兵 (soldiers): the general literally calls his soldiers home at sunset. From there it's a short jump to 'wrap up the day's work.'

Stroke Order

收 shōu

兵 bīng