七擒七纵
What does 七擒七纵 mean?
Capture seven times, release seven times: to win lasting obedience through patience, mercy, and psychological insight
比喻用耐心、宽容和智慧让对方真心信服，而不是只靠武力暂时压服。
Historical origin
During the Shu campaign in the southern region, Zhuge Liang captured the southern chieftain Meng Huo a total of seven times and released him each time rather than keeping him prisoner. The first capture came through a dawn trap. The story then compresses the middle captures into repeated examples at a riverbank, in a forest, and at a mountain pass. The seventh and final capture occurred at a rope bridge. After being caught and freed seven times in all, Meng Huo finally knelt by his own choice, and Zhuge Liang won lasting peace instead of a short victory.
How do you use 七擒七纵 in a sentence?
Our coach used a 七擒七纵 approach with the new team captain, giving him chances to reflect until he truly accepted the rules.
我们的教练对新队长用了"七擒七纵"的办法，一次次给他反思的机会，直到他真正接受了规则。
Common mistake
Do not use this idiom for simply losing on purpose or letting someone go without a reason. It describes repeated capture and release to win sincere obedience or respect in the end.
不要把这个成语用来表示故意输掉比赛，或没有原因地放走别人。它强调的是反复擒住又释放，最终让对方真心服气、信服。
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