引而不发

MEANING

1. 壹形adjective

   to pull the bow without shooting (idiom from Mencius); ready and waiting for action

   • tāyǐnérbùfā,děngdàizuìjiāshíjī.

     他引而不发，等待最佳时机。🔊

     He drew back his bow without releasing the arrow, waiting for the perfect moment.

2. 貳动verb

   to go through the motions

   • tāyǐnérbùfā,zhīshìzàiguānchá.

     他引而不发，只是在观察。🔊

     He drew his bow but did not release the arrow, merely observing.

3. 參动verb

   to practice

   • tāyǐnérbùfā,děngdàishíjī.

     他引而不发，等待时机。🔊

     He drew back without releasing, waiting for the right moment.

4. 肆名noun

   a trial run

   • yǐnérbùfā,yuèrúyě.

     引而不发，跃如也。🔊

     He draws the bow without releasing the arrow, as if about to leap forward.