分庭抗礼 stand on equal footing
Explanation
比喻双方实力相当，地位平等，互相抗衡。
It's a metaphor for two sides with equal strength and status, confronting each other.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋国和楚国是当时实力最强的两个诸侯国，经常为了争夺土地和霸权而发生战争。一次，两国在城濮地区展开激战，双方军队实力相当，战斗异常激烈。晋文公和楚成王各自率领大军，在战场上摆开阵势，准备决一死战。两军对垒，杀声震天，战争持续了很久，双方都未能取得明显的优势。最终，双方约定停战，各自撤兵。虽然这场战争没有决出胜负，但却显示了两国实力相当，地位平等，互不相让的局面，后人便用"分庭抗礼"来形容这种局面。
During the Spring and Autumn period, the Kingdom of Jin and the Kingdom of Chu were the two most powerful states, frequently clashing over territory and hegemony. Once, they engaged in a fierce battle in Chengpu. Both armies were equally matched, resulting in an intense and prolonged conflict. Duke Wen of Jin and King Cheng of Chu personally led their troops, facing each other in battle formations. The clash was deafening, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. Eventually, a truce was called and both armies withdrew. The stalemate highlighted the equal strength and status of the two kingdoms, neither willing to yield. The phrase "fēn tíng kàng lǐ" is thus used to describe such a situation.
Usage
用于形容双方实力相当，地位平等，彼此抗衡的局面。
Used to describe a situation where both sides are equally strong, have equal status, and confront each other.
Examples
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两国实力相当，分庭抗礼，谁也奈何不了谁。
Liǎng guó shí lì xiāngdāng, fēn tíng kàng lǐ, shuí yě nài hé bù liǎo shuí.
The two countries are equally matched, standing on equal footing, neither able to prevail over the other.
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在谈判桌上，双方分庭抗礼，互不相让。
Zài tán pán zhuō shang, shuāngfāng fēn tíng kàng lǐ, hù bù xiāng ràng..
At the negotiating table, both sides are on equal footing, neither yielding to the other..