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欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑
欲扬先抑

欲扬先抑 — “Suppress first, then raise/praise”

欲扬先抑 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to first suppress or downplay something in order to make its subsequent praise, elevation, or positive aspect more prominent and impactful; a rhetorical device to build anticipation or emphasize a contrast”. Literally, “Suppress first, then raise/praise”.

Frequency

欲扬先抑 Pronunciation and Pinyin

欲扬先抑 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
欲
yù11to want or desire
扬
yáng6raise, praise, or scatter
先
xiān6First, before, or ancestors
抑
yì7suppress or restrain

Example Sentence with 欲扬先抑

这位作家在描述角色时,常常采用欲扬先抑的笔法,先写她的不足,再展现其独特的魅力。
When describing characters, this writer often employs the technique of "suppress first, then raise," first detailing her shortcomings, then revealing her unique charm.

Idioms Related to 欲扬先抑

Synonyms of 欲扬先抑

  • yù欲qín擒gù故zòng纵to loosen to catch

More idioms starting with 欲

  • yù欲bù不kě可zòng纵Do not indulge desires excessively
  • yù欲rén人wù勿zhī知,,mò莫ruò若wù勿wèi为If you don't want it known, don't do it
  • yù欲rén人wù勿wén闻,,mò莫ruò若wù勿yán言If you don't want it heard, don't say it
  • yù欲jiā加zhī之zuì罪trumped-up charge
  • yù欲jiā加zhī之zuì罪,,hé何huàn患wú无cí辞If you want to condemn, you'll find a pretext
  • yù欲qǔ取gū姑yǔ与Give a little to take a lot
  • yù欲qǔ取gū姑yǔ予Give a little to gain a lot
  • yù欲hè壑nán难tián填desire is a bottomless pit
  • yù欲dé得ér而gān甘xīn心satisfied only when one gets revenge
  • yù欲qín擒xiān先zòng纵release to catch
  • yù欲yì益fǎn反bì弊desire to benefit, but instead harm

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Questions about 欲扬先抑

What does 欲扬先抑 mean?

欲扬先抑 (yù yáng xiān yì) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to first suppress or downplay something in order to make its subsequent praise, elevation, or positive aspect more prominent and impactful; a rhetorical device to build anticipation or emphasize a contrast”.

How do you pronounce 欲扬先抑?

欲扬先抑 is pronounced yù yáng xiān yì in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 欲扬先抑 literally mean?

Literally, 欲扬先抑 means “Suppress first, then raise/praise”. It is used to mean “to first suppress or downplay something in order to make its subsequent praise, elevation, or positive aspect more prominent and impactful; a rhetorical device to build anticipation or emphasize a contrast”.

What is the Chinese definition of 欲扬先抑?

要发扬、放开,先控制、压抑。

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