先发制人

xiānfāzhìrén

gain the initiative by striking the first blow; forestall the enemy

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anticipate the enemy; forestall the enemy; get the drop on sb.; wipe sb.'s eye

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get the drop on sb.; lifemanship; wipe sb.'s eye

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xian1 fa1 zhi4 ren2

to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to pre-empt, to anticipate, pre-emptive

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先发制人

xiān fā zhì rén

strike first to gain the initiative; beat to the draw; dominate the enemy by striking first; fire the first shot; gain an advantage over a competitor (the enemy) without his knowing; gain mastery by striking first; get (have) the drop on sb.; get the upper hand by taking the initiative; steal a march upon (on) sb.; steal one's thunder; strike first to forestall the enemy; strike the first blow; take the wind out of sb.'s sails; The launcher has the advantage:

采取先发制人的手段 take preemptive measures;

如受威胁便发动先发制人的打击 launch a preemptive strike if threatened

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先發制人|先发制人 [xiān fā zhì rén] ► to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to pre-empt ► to anticipate ► pre-emptive