以子之矛，攻子之盾 yǐ zǐ zhī máo ， gōng zǐ zhī dùn

fig. to attack an opponent using his own devices

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to attack an opponent using his own devices
  2. 2. lit. use sb's spear to attack his shield (idiom, derived from Han Feizi 韩非子hán fēi zǐ); turning a weapon against its owner
  3. 3. hoist with his own petard

Characters

Character Meaning
以 yǐ HSK 2
to use; by means of; according to
子 zǐ HSK 1
(noun suffix); son; child
之 zhī HSK 4
(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的de); it
矛 máo HSK 5
spear; lance; pike
攻 gōng HSK 6
to attack; to study; to accuse
子 zǐ HSK 1
(noun suffix); son; child
之 zhī HSK 4
(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的de); it
盾 dùn HSK 5
shield; (currency) Vietnamese dong