📖 Meaning
Literally 'to attack cities and seize territory.' It describes military conquest and expansion of dominion by force. In extended usage, it can refer to aggressively expanding one's sphere of influence or market presence in any competitive arena.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Han Dynasty text 《淮南子·兵略训》, a treatise on military strategy compiled under Liu An (刘安) of the Western Han. The original line '攻城略地，莫不降下' praises the overwhelming momentum of a conquering army, before which every city surrendered. It became a fixed expression denoting victorious territorial expansion through warfare.
💡 Example Usage
古代战争中，名将们常常攻城略地，以扩张自己的版图。
In ancient warfare, renowned generals would attack cities and seize territory to expand their domains.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 攻城略地
- Pinyin: gōng chéng lüè dì
- Literal Translation: attack, city, seize, land
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4