📖 Meaning
To voluntarily retreat ninety li (three shè) to avoid confrontation. It metaphorically means to yield, step back, or keep one's distance to prevent conflict. Often used when someone chooses avoidance rather than engagement with a stronger opponent or awkward situation.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Zuo Zhuan (左传), Year 23 of Duke Xi. During his exile, Chong'er (later Duke Wen of Jin) was hosted generously by the King of Chu. When the king asked how he would repay the favor if their two states ever met in battle, Chong'er promised to retreat three shè (ninety li) before fighting. Years later at the Battle of Chengpu (632 BC), Duke Wen of Jin kept his word and ordered his troops to retreat, a gesture that also lured the Chu army into a trap and led to Jin's decisive victory.
💡 Example Usage
见对方来势汹汹，他只好退避三舍，不再争辩。
Seeing the other party's aggressive approach, he had no choice but to back down and stop arguing.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 退避三舍
- Pinyin: tuì bì sān shè
- Literal Translation: retreat, avoid, three, shè (one shè = thirty li)
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4