以夷伐夷 using barbarians to attack barbarians
Explanation
指利用敌对势力之间的矛盾，使他们自相残杀，以达到削弱敌人或达到某种目的的策略。
Refers to the strategy of using the contradictions between hostile forces to make them fight each other, in order to weaken the enemy or achieve a certain goal.
Origin Story
战国时期，各国之间战争不断，诸侯国为了自身的利益，常常采取各种各样的策略来削弱敌人。其中，以夷伐夷就是一种常用的手段。例如，齐国与楚国交战，齐国为了减轻自身的压力，便联合燕国，攻打楚国的附属国。楚国为了应对齐燕的进攻，不得不调兵遣将，分散兵力，最终导致在与齐国的战争中处于劣势。这个故事说明，在战争中，以夷伐夷可以有效地削弱敌人的实力，但同时也存在着一定的风险，需要谨慎地运用。
During the Warring States period in ancient China, wars were constantly waged among the various states. To secure their own advantage, the vassal states often employed various strategies to weaken their enemies. The tactic of 'using barbarians to attack barbarians' was a common one. For example, when Qi and Chu were at war, Qi allied with Yan to attack Chu's subordinate states. To counter the Qi-Yan offensive, Chu was forced to divert troops and disperse its forces, ultimately leading to a disadvantage against Qi in the war. This story illustrates that while 'using barbarians to attack barbarians' could effectively weaken the enemy's strength, it also carried risks and required careful application.
Usage
常用于军事策略，也可比喻利用事物间的矛盾，使之互相冲突，达到某种目的。
Often used in military strategy, it can also be used metaphorically to describe the use of contradictions between things to make them conflict with each other to achieve a certain goal.
Examples
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历史上曾多次出现过以夷伐夷的策略。
lìshǐ shàng céng duō cì chūxiàn guò yǐ yí fá yí de cèlüè
There have been many instances in history of using barbarians to fight against each other.
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利用敌对势力之间的矛盾，以夷伐夷，达到削弱敌人的目的。
lìyòng dír duì shìlì zhī jiān de máodùn, yǐ yí fá yí, dádào xuēruò dírén de mùdì
Using the contradictions between hostile forces, to make them fight against each other to weaken the enemy.
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公司内部竞争激烈，有人试图以夷伐夷，挑拨离间。
gōngsī nèibù jìngzhēng jīliè, yǒurén shìtú yǐ yí fá yí, tiǎobō líjiān
The competition within the company is fierce, some people try to use divide and conquer tactics to sow discord.