Chinese idiom · 成语
先发制人
Meaning
To strike first and subdue; to gain the upper hand.
Character by character
Origin and story
historical accountThe Shiji’s biography of Xiang Yu places this idea amid the uprisings against Qin. The Kuaiji governor, Yin Tong, tells Xiang Liang that the first to act controls others, while the late mover is controlled. He wants Xiang Liang to help lead troops. Xiang Liang instead arranges for his nephew Xiang Yu to enter with a sword; they kill the governor and seize control.
The episode gives the maxim an ironic edge: the man discussing initiative loses it to those he consults. The Shiji has the related wording 先即制人; the Hanshu’s parallel account contains the familiar 先发制人 and assigns the statement to Xiang Liang. Later usage extends beyond fighting to gaining a competitive advantage by acting first.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
比赛一开始，她就先发制人，连续拿下三分。
She seized the initiative as soon as the match began, winning three points in a row.
For gaining the advantage by acting before an opponent, not a guarantee that rushing is wise.