解铃还须系铃人 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
铃 líng
HSK 5
bell
还 hái
HSK 2
still, yet, also, besides
须 xū
HSK 3
must, have to, necessary
系 xì
HSK 1
system; line, link, connection
铃 líng
HSK 5
bell
人 rén
HSK 1
man; people; mankind; someone else