挾天子以令諸侯 xié tiān zǐ yǐ lìng zhū hóu

DEFINITIONS

  1. (expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control his vassals

CHARACTERS

挾 xié clasp under arm; hold to bosom
天 tiān
HSK 1
sky, heaven; god, celestial
子 zǐ
HSK 1
offspring, child; fruit, seed of; 1st terrestrial branch
以 yǐ
HSK 2
by means of; thereby, therefore; consider as; in order to
令 lìng
HSK 5
command, order; 'commandant', magistrate; allow, cause
諸 zhū several, various
侯 hóu marquis, lord; target in archery