百战不殆

Pinyin:bǎi zhàn bù dài

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📖 Meaning

Never lose a battle.

📜 Origin

《孙子兵法》

💡 Detailed Explanation

"Bai Zhan Bu Dai" (literally "a hundred battles without peril") comes from The Art of War: Attack by Stratagem, where the original line reads, "Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without peril." It means that in every battle, one does not fall into danger—that is, one wins every time. This idiom emphasizes a full understanding of both the enemy's and one's own situation and careful planning, so that one can remain invincible through many engagements. Its deeper meaning is that success comes from a comprehensive grasp of information and precise anticipation of risks, not from luck. It is used in a wide range of contexts: in the military, it can describe a commander whose use of troops is nothing short of miraculous; it can also be applied to business competition, sports contests, and even everyday decision-making, meaning that one acts with ample preparation and therefore succeeds repeatedly. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the wisdom of the traditional Chinese military school of "first securing victory, then seeking battle," emphasizing that one should plan before acting. Its emotional tone is positive, and it is often used to praise someone or some party for being highly strategic, powerful, and steady and reliable.

📝 Example

1. Only by thoroughly researching the market and understanding competitors can one achieve victory in every battle and stay ahead in the business war. (Victory in every battle: avoiding failure and achieving victory in every competition.) 2. He repeatedly studied his opponent's tactical videos before the match, so he was invincible throughout the series and ultimately won the championship. (Invincible: winning every match with certainty, without failure.)