| 1 | 置之死地而后生 | 置之死地而後生 | zhi4 zhi1 si3 di4 er2 hou4 sheng1 | (idiom based on Sunzi's "The Art of War" 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sun1zi3 Bing1fa3]) to deploy one's troops in such a way that there is no possibility of retreat, so that they will fight for their lives and win the battle; to fight desperately when confronted with mortal danger; to find a way to emerge from a dire situation |