📖 Meaning
A metaphor for two parties locked in a standoff, each refusing to yield, while a third party reaps the benefit. It warns that mutual conflict often leaves both sides weakened and opens the door for an outsider to profit. The phrase alludes to the fable of a snipe and a clam locked together, both unable to escape.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Qing dynasty work 'Hutian Lu' (壶天录) by Baiyi Jushi, where it is used to describe pointless mutual harm between contending parties. The underlying fable itself traces back to the Warring States period, recounted in 'Zhanguo Ce' (战国策). In that story, a snipe tries to peck at a clam's flesh, and the clam clamps down on the snipe's beak. Neither will let go, and a passing fisherman easily catches them both. The tale was originally used by the strategist Su Dai to persuade the King of Zhao against attacking Yan, lest Qin benefit as the third party.
💡 Example Usage
鹬蚌相斗的结局只会让第三方得利。
When two sides stubbornly fight each other, the only outcome is that a third party benefits.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鹬蚌相斗
- Pinyin: yù bàng xiāng dòu
- Literal Translation: snipe, clam, mutually, fight
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4