Definition
这是一个四字成语，字面意思是“先动手的人会成为强者”，实际含义是“先采取行动就能占据优势”——强调在竞争或冲突中抢先一步的重要性。常用于劝告或评价场景，类似于英语的“the early bird catches the worm”或“take the initiative and you'll gain the upper hand”。作为固定表达，通常独立使用或作为分句。
f.e.
to take the initiative is to gain the upper handthe early bird catches the worm
Examples
- ，先下手为强，。Zhè cì bǐsài, xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng, wǒmen yīnggāi tíqián zhǔnbèi.In this competition, to take the initiative is to gain the upper hand — we should prepare in advance.
- 先下手为强，。Zuò shēngyi yào jìzhù xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng, wǎn le jīhuì jiù méi le.When doing business, remember that the first mover gains the advantage; if you're late, the opportunity is gone.
- 先下手为强，。xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng, dírén hái méi fǎnyìng guòlái wǒmen jiù zhànlǐng le gāodì.We took the initiative and gained the upper hand — before the enemy could react, we had seized the high ground.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.