两全其美 liǎng quán qí měi have it both ways

Explanation

这个成语的意思是做一件事顾全到双方，使两方面都得到好处，既能达到目的，又能兼顾各方利益，是一个比较好的选择。

This idiom means to do something that takes into account both sides, so that both sides benefit, both achieve the goal and take care of the interests of all parties, which is a good choice.

Origin Story

战国时期，齐国有个名叫孟尝君的人，他非常有才华，而且喜欢招揽人才，他的门客很多。有一次，齐王要攻打魏国，孟尝君就劝齐王不要打仗，说：“打仗会使双方都受到损失，还不如用计策使魏国自己投降，这样两全其美。”齐王听了孟尝君的建议，就派他去魏国，想办法说服魏王。孟尝君到了魏国后，果然用计策说服了魏王，使魏王乖乖地投降了齐国。齐王很高兴，就对孟尝君说：“你真是一位大才，这次你不仅保全了我们齐国的利益，而且也保全了魏国的利益，真是两全其美啊！”

zhàn guó shí qī, qí guó yǒu gè míng jiào mèng cháng jūn de rén, tā fēi cháng yǒu cái huá, ér qiě xǐ huan zhāo lǎn rén cái, tā de mén kè hěn duō. yǒu yī cì, qí wáng yào gōng dǎ wèi guó, mèng cháng jūn jiù quàn qí wáng bù yào dǎ zhàng, shuō: 'dǎ zhàng huì shǐ shuāng fāng dōu shòu dào sǔn shī, hái bù rú yòng jì cè shǐ wèi guó zì jǐ tóu xiáng, zhè yàng liǎng quán qí měi.' qí wáng tīng le mèng cháng jūn de jiàn yì, jiù pài tā qù wèi guó, xiǎng bàn fǎ shuō fú wèi wáng. mèng cháng jūn dào le wèi guó hòu, guǒ rán yòng jì cè shuō fú le wèi wáng, shǐ wèi wáng guāi guāi de tóu xiáng le qí guó. qí wáng hěn gāo xìng, jiù duì mèng cháng jūn shuō: 'nǐ zhēn shì yī wèi dà cái, zhè cì nǐ bù jǐn bǎo quán le wǒ men qí guó de lì yì, ér qiě yě bǎo quán le wèi guó de lì yì, zhēn shì liǎng quán qí měi a!'

During the Warring States period, there was a man named Mengchang Jun in Qi, who was very talented and liked to attract talents. He had many clients. Once, the King of Qi wanted to attack Wei, and Mengchang Jun advised the King of Qi not to fight, saying: "War will cause losses for both sides, it is better to use a plan to force Wei to surrender, so that it is a win-win situation." The King of Qi listened to Mengchang Jun's advice and sent him to Wei to try to persuade the King of Wei. After Mengchang Jun arrived in Wei, he indeed used a plan to persuade the King of Wei, so that the King of Wei surrendered to Qi obediently. The King of Qi was very happy and said to Mengchang Jun: "You are a truly great talent. This time, you have not only protected the interests of our kingdom Qi, but also the interests of Wei, which is a real win-win situation!"

Usage

这个成语常用于形容一种既能满足一方利益又能满足另一方利益的方案或策略。

zhè ge chéng yǔ cháng yòng yú xíng róng yī zhǒng jì néng mǎn zú yī fāng lì yì yòu néng mǎn zú lìng yī fāng lì yì de fāng àn huò cè lüè.

This idiom is often used to describe a plan or strategy that can satisfy the interests of one party and another.

Examples

• 这次项目，我们既要保证质量，又要赶上进度，真是两全其美。

  zhè cì xiàng mù, wǒ men jì yào bǎo zhèng zhì liàng, yòu yào gǎn shàng jìn dù, zhēn shì liǎng quán qí měi.

  This project, we have to ensure quality and catch up with the schedule, it's a win-win situation.

• 他的建议既能解决问题，又能维护团结，真是两全其美。

  tā de jiàn yì jì néng jiě jué wèn tí, yòu néng wéi chí tuán jié, zhēn shì liǎng quán qí měi.

  His proposal can solve the problem and maintain unity, it is a win-win situation.

Related Idioms

• 一箭双雕

• 一举两得

Opposite Idioms

• 两败俱伤

• 自相矛盾