CHENGYU
顺手牵羊(shùn shǒu qiān yáng)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral, often negative
- Source:
- 《三十六计·敌战计》
MEANING
- Literal
- to lead away a sheep as one passes
- Figurative meaning
- to steal something in passing; to take an easy opportunity
ORIGIN STORY
One of the Thirty-Six Stratagems of Chinese military lore: while moving to your main objective, sweep up any small gain that comes within reach — as a traveler might lead off a stray sheep without breaking stride.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to walk off with something”
EXAMPLES
他逛商店时顺手牵羊，偷走了一支笔。Tā guàng shāngdiàn shí shùn shǒu qiān yáng, tōu zǒu le yì zhī bǐ.HSK6
While browsing the shop he led off a sheep in passing and stole a pen.
放在门口的东西要小心，怕有人顺手牵羊。Fàng zài ménkǒu de dōngxi yào xiǎoxīn, pà yǒurén shùn shǒu qiān yáng.HSK6
Watch things left by the door, in case someone leads them off like a stray sheep.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Today it usually means petty theft of opportunity — the strategic sense is rarer.
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01