走为上策 zǒu wéi shàng cè Retreat is the best policy

Explanation

指在遇到危险或困境时，逃跑是最好的策略。

To refer to running away as the best strategy when encountering danger or difficulties.

Origin Story

话说三国时期，蜀国大将赵云奉命护送甘夫人和阿斗撤退。曹军来势汹汹，赵云寡不敌众，眼看就要被包围。此时，赵云想起师父教导的三十六计，权衡利弊之下，他果断决定：走为上策！他用计摆脱了追兵，成功护送甘夫人和阿斗安全回到蜀营。这次撤退，赵云展现了他非凡的军事才能和战略眼光，也让后人记住了“走为上策”这句至理名言。此后，“走为上策”便流传开来，成为了人们在危急关头选择自保的智慧象征，也代表了在绝境中求生的勇气和智慧。

huà shuō sānguó shíqī, shǔ guó dà jiàng zhào yún fèng mìng hùsòng gān fūrén hé ā dòu chètuì。 cáo jūn láishì xīōngxiōng, zhào yún guǎ bù dí zhòng, yǎn kàn jiù yào bèi bāo wéi。 cǐ shí, zhào yún xiǎng qǐ shīfū jiàodǎo de sān shí liù jì, quán héng lìbì zhī xià, tā guǒduàn juédìng：zǒu wéi shàngcè！ tā yòng jì bǎituó le zhuībīng, chénggōng hùsòng gān fūrén hé ā dòu ānquán huí dào shǔ yíng。 zhè cì chètuì, zhào yún zhǎnxian le tā fēifán de jūnshì cáinéng hé zhànlüè yǎnguāng, yě ràng hòurén jì zhù le “zǒu wéi shàngcè” zhè jù zhìlǐ míngyán。 cǐ hòu，“zǒu wéi shàngcè” biàn liúchuán kāilái, chéngwéi le rénmen zài wēijí guāntóu xuǎnzé zìbǎo de zhìhuì xiàngzhēng, yě dàibiǎo le zài juéjìng zhōng qiú shēng de yǒngqì hé zhìhuì。

In the Three Kingdoms period, Zhao Yun, a Shu general, was ordered to escort Gan Fu and A Dou to safety. Cao Cao's troops came in force. Outnumbered, Zhao Yun seemed to be surrounded. Remembering his master's 36 strategies, he wisely chose: to retreat. He used strategy to evade pursuit and successfully escorted Gan Fu and A Dou back to camp safely. This retreat displayed his military talent and strategic vision and the saying “Retreat is the best strategy” was born. Since then, it is a symbol of self-preservation and wisdom. It has become a proverb and represents courage and wisdom in desperate situations.

Usage

用作谓语、定语；指在危急时刻选择离开。

yòng zuò wèiyǔ、dìngyǔ；zhǐ zài wēijí shíkè xuǎnzé líkāi。

Used as a predicate or attributive; refers to choosing to leave in a critical moment.

Examples

• 面对强敌，走为上策是明智之举。

  miànduì qiángdí, zǒu wéi shàngcè shì míngzhì zhī jǔ。

  Facing a strong enemy, running away is a wise move.

• 形势危急，走为上策！

  xíngshì wēijí, zǒu wéi shàngcè！

  The situation is critical, running away is the best option!

Related Idioms

• 走为上计

• 三十六计

Opposite Idioms

• 迎难而上

• 坚守阵地