退避三舍

tuìbìsānshè

idiom #35,300

Meanings

1 to retreat ninety li
2 to give way to avoid conflict
3 to back off out of deference

Characters

30-li march (ancient unit)

Examples

面对强敌，他选择退避三舍。

Miànduì qiángdí, tā xuǎnzé tuìbì sān shè.

Facing a strong opponent, he chose to back off.

对于她的脾气，同事们都退避三舍。

Duìyú tā de píqi, tóngshìmen dōu tuìbì sān shè.

Colleagues steer well clear of her temper.

他口才犀利，对手只能退避三舍。

Tā kǒucái xīlì, duìshǒu zhǐ néng tuìbì sān shè.

His tongue is so sharp that opponents can only back down.

Tips

history

From 《左传·僖公二十三年》. When Duke Wen of Jin was in exile in Chu, he promised King Cheng of Chu that if their armies ever met, he would retreat three 舍 (each 30 li, so 90 li total) in gratitude. At the Battle of Chengpu (632 BCE), he kept his word — then went on to win.

Stroke Order

退 tuì

避 bì

三 sān

舍 shě