退避三舍

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Chinese

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to keep away; to step aside; to retreat to avoid three thirty li
trad. (退避三舍) 退避
simp. #(退避三舍) 退避
Literally: “to retreat ninety li”.

Etymology

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From the account of Duke Wen of Jin, who, prior to becoming the ruler of Jin, had fled from a succession crisis and had been seeking shelter in various states. After receiving him, King Cheng of Chu asked how he would pay back if he were to become the ruler of Jin. His reply was (《左傳·僖公二十三年》):

中原三舍周旋 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
中原三舍周旋 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Ruò yǐ jūn zhī líng, dé fǎn Jìn guó, Jìn Chǔ zhì bīng, yù yú zhōngyuán, qí jūn sān shè. Ruò bù huò mìng, qí zuǒ zhí biān mǐ, yòu shǔ gāo jiān, yǐ yǔ jūn zhōuxuán. [Pinyin]
If by your lordship's powerful influence I shall recover the State of Jin, should Chu and Jin go to war and meet in the plain of the Middle Land, I will withdraw from your lordship three stages [each of 30 li]. If then I do not receive your commands to cease from hostilities, with my whip and my bow in my left hand, and my quiver and my bowcase on my right, I will manaeuvre with your lordship.

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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退避三舍

  1. to give way to avoid a conflict in the face of superior strength (to avoid heavy losses)