反客为主
fǎn kè wéi zhǔ
the guest takes over as host; to seize the initiative
Character by character
反fǎn
reverse
reverse
客kè
guest
guest
为wéi
become
become
主zhǔ
host
host
Example
他本来是来帮忙的，结果反客为主，指挥起大家来了。
He came to help and ended up taking over and directing everyone.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
One of the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
Learn this in Lesson 31 · HSK 5–6: 饭局的规矩 (The rules of the dinner table)
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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