CHENGYU
运筹帷幄(yùn chóu wéi wò)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- formal, approving
- Source:
- 《史记·高祖本纪》
MEANING
- Literal
- to plan strategy inside the command tent
- Figurative meaning
- to devise plans behind the scenes; masterful planning
ORIGIN STORY
The Han founder Liu Bang said: "To work out strategy in the tent and decide victory a thousand li away — I am no match for Zhang Liang." The phrase honors the genius behind the scenes.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to mastermind”
EXAMPLES
这场胜利全靠教练运筹帷幄。Zhè chǎng shènglì quán kào jiàoliàn yùn chóu wéi wò.HSK6
This victory belongs to the coach's planning in the tent.
他运筹帷幄，把公司发展成了行业第一。Tā yùn chóu wéi wò, bǎ gōngsī fāzhǎn chéng le hángyè dì yī.HSK6
Strategizing behind the scenes, he built the company into the industry leader.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Note the reading: 幄 is wò. It is about strategy, not mere hard work.
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01