欲擒故縱 yù qín gù zòng

DEFINITIONS

  1. In order to capture, one must let loose.
  2. to loosen the reins only to grasp them better

CHARACTERS

欲 yù
HSK 6
desire, want, long for; intend
擒 qín catch, capture, seize, arrest
故 gù
HSK 3
ancient, old; reason, because
縱 zòng indulge in, give free reign to