Definition
This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) describing a strategy where you let your opponent act first, then counterattack to gain the upper hand. It's often used in military tactics, sports, or debates. The literal meaning is 'later strike, control the person'.
f.e.
to gain mastery by counterattacking after the opponent has struck firstto win by striking second
Examples
- ，后发制人，，。Zài zhè chǎng biànlùn zhōng, tā cǎiyòng le hòu fā de cèlüè, xiān ràng duìfāng fāyán, ránhòu cái tíchū fǎnbó.In this debate, he adopted the strategy of counterattacking: he let the opponent speak first, then refuted their points.
- ，后发制人，。Miàn duì qiáng dí, zuì hǎo de fāngfǎ jiù shì hòu fā, děng duìfāng lù chū pòzhàn zài chūjī.When facing a strong enemy, the best approach is to counterattack: wait for the opponent to show a weakness before striking.
- ，后发制人，。Tǐyù bǐsài zhōng, hòu fā shì yì zhǒng chángjiàn de zhànshù, yóuqí zài fángshǒu fǎnjī de bǐsài zhōng.In sports competitions, counterattacking is a common tactic, especially in defensive counterattack matches.
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