退避三捨 tuì bì sān shè

to back off; to give way to someone stronger

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. to retreat three day's march (idiom); fig. to give way in the face of superior strength
  2. 2. a strategic withdrawal

Characters

Character Meaning
退 tuì HSK 5
to withdraw; to retreat; to move back
避 bì HSK 5
to avoid; to keep away from; to shun
三 sān HSK 1
three; 3; surname San
捨 shè
to give up; to abandon; to give alms