"Waiting at one's ease for the exhausted enemy" literally means using one's own comfort and rest to wait for the enemy's fatigue. It originates from The Art of War: Waging War, and is an important military strategy that emphasizes conserving energy during war and striking only after the enemy is exhausted, thereby achieving victory at minimal cost. Its deeper meaning lies in using a clever gap in time and condition to place oneself in an advantageous position and avoid head-on confrontation. It is widely used not only in military affairs but also in sports competitions, business rivalries, workplace maneuvering, and more, referring to winning when the opponent is tired or unprepared by relying on one's own full preparation and abundant energy. In cultural background, it embodies the wisdom of "striking only after the enemy has struck" and "using stillness to overcome movement" in traditional Chinese culture. Its emotional tone is neutral with a positive leaning, and it is often used to praise clever strategy and a good sense of timing.
📝 Example
1. When facing a formidable opponent, we need not rush to attack. We can adopt the strategy of "waiting at ease for the exhausted enemy" — conserving our energy and waiting for them to tire after continuous fighting before launching a counterattack. (Refers to building up strength and waiting for the enemy to become exhausted before taking action.)
2. In business negotiations, he deliberately stalled for time, waiting at ease for the exhausted opponent, and ultimately made the other party, worn out, concede. (Refers to using one's own composure to wait for the other side's exhaustion, thereby gaining the upper hand.)