出奇制胜
chū qí zhì shèng
to win by doing the unexpected
Character by character
出chū
produce
produce
奇qí
surprise
surprise
制zhì
secure
secure
胜shèng
victory
victory
Example
论实力我们比不上对手，只能出奇制胜。
We are no match for them in strength, so we can only win by surprise.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
The idea comes from 《孙子兵法》: 凡战者，以正合，以奇胜, “engage with the regular force, win with the unexpected”. Used of tactics in war, sport, business and advertising: 靠创意出奇制胜.
Learn this in Lesson 150 · HSK 7–9: 人机大战：围棋 (Go: man against machine)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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