Definition & Meaning

gain the initiative by striking the first blow; forestall the enemy; preemptive

Word usage

xiān fā zhì rén

先 发 制 人

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Chinese dictionary
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slgain the initiative by striking the first blow; forestall the enemy; preemptive
- tā xiān fā zhì rén yāo qiú pī píng tā de rén zhèng míng tā men de zhǐ kòng
  她先发制人，要求批评她的人证明他们的指控。
  She took the offensive, challenging her critics to prove their allegations.
- tā men jué dìng fā dòng xiān fā zhì rén de gōng jī
  他们决定发动先发制人的攻击。
  They decided to launch a pre-emptive strike.
synonym
xiān shēng duó rén先声夺人
antonym
hòu fā zhì rén后发制人

Word usage

Note
"制" cannot be written as "治".

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