七纵七擒 Seven releases and seven captures
Explanation
这个成语出自《三国志》，形容用策略使对方心服口服。诸葛亮七擒七纵孟获的故事，体现了以德服人、善于用兵的策略。
This idiom comes from Records of the Three Kingdoms and describes the strategy of winning someone over completely through skillful tactics. The story of Zhuge Liang's seven captures and releases of Meng Huo demonstrates the art of warfare and the power of moral persuasion.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉丞相诸葛亮奉先主刘备遗诏，南征平叛。南方蛮夷首领孟获屡屡作乱，诸葛亮决定采取“攻心为上”的策略。在与孟获的多次交战中，诸葛亮每次都能将其俘获，但都宽宏大量地将其释放。孟获起初并不服气，认为诸葛亮只是虚张声势，于是再次起兵反叛。如此反复七次，孟获最终被诸葛亮的诚意打动，心悦诚服地归顺了蜀汉，从此不再作乱，南方的安定也为蜀汉的发展创造了良好的条件。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han, was ordered by Liu Bei to quell the rebellion in the south. Meng Huo, the leader of the southern barbarians, repeatedly rebelled, so Zhuge Liang decided to adopt a strategy of "winning hearts and minds". In several battles with Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang always captured him, but always generously released him. Meng Huo was initially unconvinced, believing that Zhuge Liang was just bluffing, so he rebelled again. This happened seven times, and finally Meng Huo was touched by Zhuge Liang's sincerity and submitted willingly, never rebelling again. The stability of the south thus created favorable conditions for the development of Shu Han.
Usage
用以形容用策略使对方心悦诚服，也指反复多次的策略。
Used to describe how to win someone's complete approval through strategy, and also refers to repeated strategies.
Examples
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诸葛亮七纵七擒孟获，最终使其归顺。
zhūgě liàng qī zòng qī qín mèng huò, zuìzhōng shǐ qí guīshùn
Zhuge Liang's seven releases and seven captures of Meng Huo eventually led to his submission.
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他用七纵七擒的策略，最终让对手心悦诚服。
tā yòng qī zòng qī qín de cèlüè, zuìzhōng ràng duìshǒu xīnyuèchéngfú
He used the strategy of seven releases and seven captures to finally win over his opponent's approval.