Chinese word

打草惊蛇

Pronunciation

Pinyindǎ cǎo jīng shé

Meaning

  • idiomalert the other side

Example

别打草惊蛇，先别表露意图。bié dá cǎo jīng shé xiān bié biǎo lù yì tú

Don't alert them; don't reveal your intentions yet.

Illustration for 打草惊蛇 (alert the other side)

More examples

别急着告诉对方，否则会打草惊蛇。bié jí zhe gào sù duì fāng fǒu zé huì dá cǎo jīng shé

Don't hurry to tell the other side, or you will alert them.

Core concept

Breaking concealment too soon makes a waiting opponent alert before the intended action can work.

Common phrases

  • 别打草惊蛇bié dá cǎo jīng shé

    don't alert the other side

  • 小心别打草惊蛇xiǎo xīn bié dá cǎo jīng shé

    take care not to alert the other side

Similar words

走漏风声zǒu lòu fēng shēng: Letting secret information or a plan leak out so that others learn about it.
露马脚lòu má jiǎo: Showing a hidden weakness or true nature through a revealing mistake or sign.
露馅lòu xiàn: Having a hidden trick, lie, or secret exposed so that the truth becomes clear.

Definition in Chinese

无意或故意提前暴露意图或动作，引起对方注意或防备，从而妨碍原来的计划。wú yì huò gù yì tí qián bào lù yì tú huò dòng zuò yín qǐ duì fāng zhù yì huò fáng bèi cóng ér fáng ài yuán lái de jì huà

Word origin

The literal scene of striking grass and startling a hidden snake develops into a metaphor for exposing a plan before it is ready.

Usage tips

  • The idiom can describe an accidental clue as well as a deliberate probe, so it covers both careless disclosure and a risky first move.

Other meanings

  • give away one's intentionsidiom
  • raise suspicionidiom

Opposites

  • 不动声色bú dòng shēng sèconceal one's feelings and intentionsidiom
  • 暗中行动àn zhōng xíng dòngact secretlyidiom

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