狡兔三窟

jiǎotù-sānkū
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 a crafty rabbit has three burrows
  2. 2 have multiple hideouts or fallback plans
  3. 3 always keep an escape route

Examples

HSK 6
Zuòshēngyì yào jiǎotù-sānkū, bùnéng bǎ jīdàn fàngzài yígè lánzi lǐ.
In business you need multiple backup plans, don't put all your eggs in one basket.
HSK 7-9
Tā zài hǎojǐ gè guójiā dōu yǒu fángzi, zhēnshì jiǎotù-sānkū.
He owns houses in several countries, a truly crafty fellow with many hideouts.

Tips

history
From 《战国策·齐策四》 (Strategies of the Warring States), where retainer Feng Xuan advises Lord Mengchang of Qi that a clever rabbit has three burrows and so should a wise ruler maintain multiple safeguards against political disaster.

Stroke Order

jiǎo
sān