运筹帷幄
- Literal
- move counting rods in the command tent
- Figurative
- To plan and direct shrewdly from headquarters rather than the front line; praise for whoever masterminds the strategy.
Where does 运筹帷幄 come from?
The 《史记》 records it in the annals of Emperor Gaozu. Liu Bang, by then Han emperor after defeating Xiang Yu, asked at a banquet in Luoyang why he had won and his rival lost and, after hearing two of his followers, gave his own answer: in devising plans in the command tent and deciding victories a thousand li away, he was no match for Zhang Liang; in governing and supplying the army, for Xiao He; in leading great armies, for Han Xin. He knew how to use all three; Xiang Yu had a Fan Zeng and wasted him. Today it praises anyone who directs things shrewdly from command, in war, sport, or business.
Source (出处): 《史记·高祖本纪》
How is 运筹帷幄 used? Two examples
- 比赛虽然是队员在踢,但真正运筹帷幄的是教练。
The players may be the ones on the pitch, but the real mastermind is the coach.
- 这次搬家全靠我妈运筹帷幄,什么时候装箱都安排好了。
The move went smoothly because my mom masterminded the whole thing, right down to when each box got packed.