Chinese word

顾全大局

Pronunciation

Pinyingù quán dà jú

Meaning

  • idiomconsider the big picture

Example

顾全大局，不要为了眼前的小利争吵。gù quán dà jú bú yào wèi le yǎn qián de xiǎo lì zhēng chǎo

Consider the big picture, and do not argue over small immediate gains.

Illustration for 顾全大局 (consider the big picture)

More examples

在谈判中，双方都需要退让一点，才能真正顾全大局。zài tán pàn zhōng shuāng fāng dōu xū yào tuì ràng yì diǎn cái néng zhēn zhèng gù quán dà jú

In negotiations, both sides need to make some concessions to truly put the big picture first.

Core concept

A person gives up a nearby advantage to keep the larger situation on course.

Common phrases

  • 坚持顾全大局jiān chí gù quán dà jú

    insist on putting the big picture first

  • 为顾全大局而让步wèi gù quán dà jú ér ràng bù

    make concessions for the sake of the big picture

Similar words

着眼大局zhuó yǎn dà jú: Focusing on the broad situation and overall picture when considering an issue.
从大局出发cóng dà jú chū fā: Using the overall situation as the basis for decisions and actions.
放眼全局fàng yǎn quán jú: Taking a distant, long-term view of the whole situation and its future.
统筹兼顾tǒng chóu jiān gù: Coordinating an overall plan while considering several sides at the same time.

Definition in Chinese

在处理问题时把整体局势放在首位，愿意暂时让步或牺牲局部利益以顾及全局。zài chú lǐ wèn tí shí bǎ zhéng tǐ jú shì fàng zài shǒu wèi yuàn yì zàn shí ràng bù huò xī shēng jú bù lì yì yǐ gù jí quán jú

Word origin

The idiom joins 顾 (gù, "attend to") with 全 (quán, "all") and 大局 (dàjú, "overall situation"), placing care for the complete situation above a single part.

Usage tips

  • The expression is useful when a speaker contrasts a temporary gain with a longer-term result, because it explains why a small concession may be reasonable.

Other meanings

  • put the big picture firstidiom
  • put overall interests firstidiom

Opposites

  • 斤斤计较jīn jīn jì jiàoquibble over every little detailidiom

Word lists with this word