引而不發 yǐn ér bù fā

to pull the bow without shooting (idiom from Mencius); ready and waiting for action

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to pull the bow without shooting (idiom from Mencius); ready and waiting for action
  2. 2. to go through the motions
  3. 3. a trial run
  4. 4. to practice

Characters

Character Meaning
引 yǐn HSK 4
to lead; to guide; to attract
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
發 fā
to send out; to issue; to develop