知难而退 retreat in the face of difficulty
Explanation
指知道事情困难就后退，避免不必要的损失或风险。
It means to retreat when one knows that a task is difficult, avoiding unnecessary losses or risks.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋国和楚国为争夺霸权而战，郑国夹在两者之间，依附晋国。楚国攻打郑国，晋国派荀林父、士会、先榖率军救援。然而，当他们得知楚军实力强大，形势不利时，荀林父主张知难而退，保存实力。士会同意，但先榖反对，坚持要战。结果，晋军因轻敌冒进而大败。这个故事说明，在面对实力悬殊的敌人时，知难而退，保存实力，才能避免更大的损失，等待更好的时机再战。
During the Spring and Autumn period, the states of Jin and Chu fought for hegemony, with Zheng caught between them, leaning towards Jin. When Chu attacked Zheng, Jin sent Xun Linfu, Shi Hui, and Xian Gu to lead troops to the rescue. However, upon learning of the Chu army's strength and the unfavorable situation, Xun Linfu advocated for a strategic retreat to preserve their strength. Shi Hui agreed, but Xian Gu opposed it and insisted on fighting. As a result, the Jin army suffered a crushing defeat due to underestimation and rash advance. This story illustrates that when facing a superior enemy, a strategic retreat to preserve strength is crucial to avoid greater losses and wait for a more opportune moment to strike.
Usage
常用于形容在困难面前选择退缩的做法，也常用于劝诫人们要量力而行。
Often used to describe the act of retreating in the face of difficulties, it is also often used to advise people to act within their capabilities.
Examples
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面对如此艰难的挑战，他们最终选择了知难而退。
miàn duì rú cǐ jiānnán de tiǎozhàn, tāmen zuìzhōng xuǎnzéle zhīnán'értùi
Faced with such a difficult challenge, they finally chose to retreat.
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创业初期，面对资金短缺和市场竞争的巨大压力，他毫不犹豫地知难而退，另寻发展之路。
chuàngyè chūqī, miàn duì zījīn duǎnquē hé shìchǎng jìngzhēng de jùdà yā lì, tā háo wú yóuyù de zhīnán'értùi, lìng xún fāzhǎn zhī lù
In the early days of the startup, faced with a shortage of funds and intense market competition, he did not hesitate to retreat and seek another path to development.
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明知此项任务风险极高，但为了团队的整体利益，他毅然决然地知难而退，将机会留给了更有经验的同事。
míngzhī cǐ xiàng rènwù fēngxiǎn jí gāo, dàn wèile tuánduì de zhěngtǐ lìyì, tā yìrán jué rán de zhīnán'értùi, jiāng jīhuì liú gěile gèng yǒu jīngyàn de tóngshì
Knowing that this task was extremely risky, but for the overall benefit of the team, he resolutely chose to retreat, leaving the opportunity to more experienced colleagues.