分庭抗禮

fēntíngkànglǐ

a host and a guest stood in the east and west sides of a courtyard and saluted to show equal treatment. A metaphor for equal status and power of two parties who can deal with each other.

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fen1 ting2 kang4 li3

peer competition, to function as rivals, to make claims as an equal

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分庭抗禮|分庭抗礼 [fēn tíng kàng lǐ] ► peer competition ► to function as rivals ► to make claims as an equal