退避三舍

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: tuì bì sān shè
• English Translation: Retreating ninety li (giving way to avoid conflict)
• Idiom Composition: 「退」（To retreat or move backward）＋「避」（To avoid or evade）＋「三」（Three (a specific count)）＋「舍」（An ancient unit of distance (one 'she' equals thirty 'li', roughly 15 kilometers)）
• Meaning: To proactively yield or keep one's distance from someone to avoid conflict or confrontation. While it originally referred to a strategic retreat to honor a promise, in modern usage, it often describes avoiding someone troublesome or being intimidated by a superior force.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「退避三舍」 contains the following nuances:

• The Distance of 'Three She': In ancient Chinese military terms, one 舍 (shè) represented a distance of thirty 里 (lǐ). Therefore, 'Three She' equals ninety 里 (lǐ), which is approximately 45 kilometers. This represents a significant and deliberate retreat to show sincerity or avoid a fight.
• Modern Nuance: While the original story emphasized keeping a promise and showing gratitude, modern usage focuses more on the act of avoidance. It is often used when someone wants to stay away from a 'headache' or a person who is too difficult to deal with.

3. Usage

「退避三舍」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Avoiding Trouble: Used as a life strategy to avoid unnecessary conflict with unreasonable or difficult people.
  • Example:「遇到这种不讲理的人，我通常是退避三舍，不跟他一般见识。」
    （When I encounter such unreasonable people, I usually keep my distance and don't stoop to their level.）
• Overwhelming Strength: Used when one is forced to yield because the opponent's power or momentum is far superior.
  • Example:「面对卫冕冠军的强大攻势，其他选手不得不退避三舍。」
    （Faced with the defending champion's powerful offensive, the other players had no choice but to give way.）
• Humility or Respect: A more formal usage indicating that one defers to another's superior knowledge or status.
  • Example:「论学识和经验，我对他都要退避三舍。」
    （In terms of knowledge and experience, I must defer to him.）

Additional Examples:

1. 看到老板今天心情不好，大家都退避三舍，不敢大声说话。
   （Seeing that the boss was in a bad mood today, everyone steered clear and didn't dare to speak loudly.）
2. 对于这种高风险的投资项目，大多数投资者都选择了退避三舍。
   （Regarding such high-risk investment projects, most investors chose to stay away.）
3. 他那咄咄逼人的气势让人不得不退避三舍。
   （His aggressive manner makes people feel they have to shrink back.）
4. 虽然我很想帮忙，但这件事太复杂，我只能退避三舍了。
   （Although I really want to help, this matter is too complicated, so I have no choice but to bow out.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom comes from the Zuo Zhuan (左传), specifically the 23rd year of Duke Xi. During his exile, the prince Chong'er (重耳), who later became Duke Wen of Jin (晋文公), was treated with great hospitality by King Cheng of Chu (楚成王).
• The Promise: When asked how he would repay the kindness, Chong'er promised that if their two armies ever met in battle, he would retreat 'Three She' (90 li) as a sign of respect and gratitude.
• Strategic Outcome: Years later, during the Battle of Chengpu (城濮之战), Duke Wen of Jin fulfilled this promise. While it appeared to be a gesture of honor, it also served as a strategic retreat that lured the Chu army into a vulnerable position, leading to a decisive victory for the Jin army.
• Usage: Today, it is a versatile phrase used in everything from daily conversation to news reports to describe avoiding a confrontation or yielding to a superior force.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 敬而远之 (jìng ér yuǎn zhī): To respect someone but keep them at a distance; often used today to mean avoiding someone troublesome.link
  • 望而生畏 (wàng ér shēng wèi): To be intimidated or struck with fear just by looking at something or someone.
  • 望而却步 (wàng ér què bù): To shrink back at the sight of something difficult or dangerous.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 针锋相对 (zhēn fēng xiāng duì): To be diametrically opposed; 'tit for tat' or 'point against point'.link
  • 迎难而上 (yíng nán ér shàng): To face difficulties head-on rather than retreating.

6. Summary

The idiom 退避三舍 (tuì bì sān shè) is used to describe the act of giving way or keeping a distance to avoid a clash. Originating from a historical story involving Duke Wen of Jin (晋文公), the phrase has shifted from its literal military meaning of retreating a specific distance to a broader social context. It can be used positively to describe a wise avoidance of trouble, or more neutrally to describe being overwhelmed by someone else's power or presence.