Definition
严阵以待 is a formal four-character idiom (chengyu) from military strategy. Its literal meaning is 'to draw up in battle formation and await the enemy', but it's used figuratively for any serious situation where someone is fully prepared and ready to face a challenge. It often appears in contexts like competitions, exams, or political negotiations.
f.e.
to be fully prepared and ready for a challenge (in a serious or adversarial context)
Examples
- ，严阵以待。Juésài kāishǐ qián, liǎng duì dōu yán zhèn yǐ dāi.Before the finals began, both teams were fully prepared and waiting.
- ，严阵以待。Miàn duì zìrán zāihài, zhèngfǔ yǐjīng yán zhèn yǐ dāi.Facing the natural disaster, the government was already in full readiness.
- 严阵以待，。Wǒmen yán zhèn yǐ dāi, děngdài kǎoshì jiéguǒ.We are fully prepared and waiting for the exam results.
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