Chinese Idiom 43

Meaning: This idiom translates to "borrowing arrows with thatched boats." It refers to using clever tactics or unconventional means to achieve one's goals.

Explanation: The phrase originated from a historical event during the Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. In the tale, the military strategist Zhuge Liang borrowed arrows from the enemy using small boats covered with straw to deceive them.

Usage: "草船借箭" is often used to describe resourcefulness and creativity in solving problems or achieving objectives, especially when faced with limited resources or challenging situations.

Example: If someone successfully persuades their competitors to provide them with resources needed for a project, one might say, "他的计谋真是草船借箭，成功地获得了所需资源" (tā de jì móu zhēn shì cǎo chuán jiè jiàn, chéng gōng de huò dé le suǒ xū zī yuán), meaning "His strategy was like borrowing arrows with thatched boats, successfully obtaining the required resources."