解鈴還須繫鈴人 jiě líng hái xū xì líng rén

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. whoever hung the bell on the tiger's neck must untie it (idiom)
  2. fig. whoever started the trouble should end it

CHARACTERS

解 jiě
HSK 3
loosen, unfasten, untie; explain
鈴 líng bell
還 hái still, yet, also, besides
須 xū must, have to, necessary; moment; whiskers
繫 xì attach, connect, unite, fasten
鈴 líng bell
人 rén
HSK 1
man; people; mankind; someone else