📖 Meaning
To calculate and devise strategies; to plan and make strategic decisions. The phrase evokes the image of turning counting rods while formulating battle plans or policies.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' (三国志), in the biography of Zhuge Ke (诸葛恪) of Eastern Wu. Pei Songzhi's annotation quotes Guan Chen's 'Biography of Zhuge Ke' (魏·管辰《诸葛恪别传》). Sun Quan (孙权), ruler of Wu, once asked Zhuge Ke how he compared to Teng Yin (滕胤). Zhuge Ke replied that in matters of ceremony and etiquette, he was no match for Teng Yin, but in the art of planning and strategy-making, Teng Yin was inferior to him.
💡 Example Usage
面对敌军压境，主帅回筹转策，制定了周密的防御方案。
Facing the invading enemy army, the commander devised strategies and formulated a thorough defense plan.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 回筹转策
- Pinyin: huí chóu zhuǎn cè
- Literal Translation: turn, counting rod, turn, strategy
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4