据水断桥 — “To block a bridge by holding a strategic waterway”

据水断桥 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to block a bridge by holding a strategic waterway”. Implying exceptional courage and strategic prowess in battle, daring to face strong opponents with a defensive advantage. It describes someone who is exceptionally brave and skilled in combat, especially when utilizing natural barriers. Literally, “Hold a waterway to block a bridge”.

Frequency

据水断桥 Pronunciation and Pinyin

据水断桥 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
据	jù	11	according to; based on; evidence
水	shuǐ	4	water, liquid, river, juice
断	duàn	11	break, stop, decide
桥	qiáo	10	bridge

Example Sentence with 据水断桥

面对强大的对手，他选择据水断桥，凭借有利地形成功阻滞了敌方的进攻。

Facing a formidable opponent, he chose to hold the waterway and block the bridge, successfully impeding the enemy's advance by leveraging the advantageous terrain.

Origin and Story of 据水断桥

In 208 AD, Cao Cao led his army to attack Jing Province, and Liu Cong of Jing Province surrendered to Cao Cao. Seeing the unfavorable situation, Liu Bei immediately fled south of the Yangtze River.

Cao Cao pursued them to Changbanpo in Dangyang, where Liu Bei abandoned his family and fled.

Zhang Fei, utilizing the river, stood on the bridge to block Cao Cao's army's advance. With wide eyes, he held his long spear horizontally, and Cao Cao's troops dared not act rashly. Liu Bei was thus able to escape.