入室操戈 — “To use an opponent's arguments or methods against them”

入室操戈 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to use an opponent's arguments or methods against them”. To turn an opponent's weapons against them. Literally, “Enter the room and wield the halberd”.

Frequency

入室操戈 Pronunciation and Pinyin

入室操戈 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
入	rù	2	to enter
室	shì	9	room, chamber, or family
操	cāo	16	hold, operate, manage, conduct
戈	gē	4	ancient Chinese halberd

Example Sentence with 入室操戈

在辩论中，小王巧妙地引用了对手的数据来反驳他，这真是入室操戈的典范。

In the debate, Xiao Wang cleverly cited his opponent's own data to refute him, which was a perfect example of "turning the opponent's weapons against them."

Origin and Story of 入室操戈

Zheng Xuan was a renowned literati and educator during the Later Han Dynasty. From a young age, he was diligent in his studies. The prefect Du Mi recognized his potential and recommended him to study at the imperial academy.

Later, Zheng Xuan became a disciple of the great scholar Ma Rong. When Zheng Xuan completed his studies and departed, Ma Rong lamented, "Zheng Xuan has left, and all my knowledge has gone with him."

Zheng Xuan tirelessly pursued his academic research at home. He was good friends with He Xiu, who also specialized in classical studies. He Xiu authored three works: "Gongyang Moshou," "Zuoshi Gaohuang," and "Guliang Feiji."

Upon reading them, Zheng Xuan disagreed with He Xiu's viewpoints. Consequently, he wrote three articles—"Fa Moshou," "Zhen Gaohuang," and "Qi Banjie"—to refute He Xiu.

When He Xiu read Zheng Xuan's articles, he realized that Zheng Xuan had skillfully used his own arguments and perspectives to counter him, and that Zheng Xuan's points were very convincing. He Xiu couldn't help but exclaim with regret, "Aren't you just entering my house and attacking me with my own weapons?"