折冲樽俎 in English zhe2 chong1 zun1 zu3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to stop the enemy at the banquet table
  • metaphorically to get the better of an enemy during diplomatic functions

Simplified Characters

折 冲 樽 俎

Traditional Characters

折 衝 樽 俎

Pinyin

zhe2 chong1 zun1 zu3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

折zhe2to break (e.g. stick or bone) 冲chong1(of water) to dash against 樽zun1goblet 俎zu3a stand for food at sacrifice