蚕食鲸吞 Gradual Erosion and Sudden Annexation
Explanation
比喻像蚕吃桑叶那样一点一点地侵占，像鲸吞食那样一下子吞并。多用于形容侵略扩张，也可用作其他方面。
It's a metaphor: like a silkworm eating mulberry leaves, little by little encroaching; like a whale swallowing, annexing all at once. It is often used to describe aggressive expansion, but can also be used in other ways.
Origin Story
话说春秋战国时期，有一个小国名叫越国，地处偏僻，国力薄弱。它的邻国吴国，国力强盛，野心勃勃，一直想吞并越国。吴王阖闾派兵攻打越国，越王勾践战败被俘。为了保住越国，勾践忍辱负重，在吴国做了三年奴隶。三年后，勾践回到越国，励精图治，勤俭建国，终于让越国变得强大起来。勾践不忘吴国的欺辱，决心报复。他采取了“蚕食鲸吞”的策略，先慢慢蚕食吴国的边境地区，然后集中兵力，一举吞并吴国，最终报了国仇家恨。这个故事说明，即使弱小，只要有坚韧不拔的意志和正确的策略，也能最终战胜强大的对手。
In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, there was a small country called Yue, which was remote and weak. Its neighboring country, Wu, was powerful and ambitious, always wanting to annex Yue. King Helü of Wu sent troops to attack Yue, and King Goujian of Yue was defeated and captured. To save Yue, Goujian endured humiliation and served as a slave in Wu for three years. Three years later, Goujian returned to Yue, governed diligently and frugally, and finally made Yue strong. Goujian did not forget the humiliation of Wu and decided to take revenge. He adopted a strategy of "gradual erosion and sudden annexation," first slowly encroaching on the border areas of Wu, and then concentrating his forces to annex Wu in one fell swoop, finally avenging his national shame. This story shows that even the weak, with unwavering will and the right strategy, can eventually defeat powerful opponents.
Usage
作谓语、定语；比喻一点一点地侵占吞并。
As a predicate or attributive; a metaphor for gradual encroachment and annexation.
Examples
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边境冲突不断升级，邻国正蚕食鲸吞我国领土。
bianjing chongtu buduan shengji,lingguo zheng canshi jingtun woguo lingtu.
Border conflicts are escalating, and neighboring countries are gradually encroaching on our territory.
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列强蚕食鲸吞，中华大地饱受欺凌。
lieqiang canshi jingtun, zhonghua dadi baoshou qiling
The great powers gradually swallowed up China, which suffered from oppression.