借风使船jiè fēng shǐ chuánsail with the wind;make use of sth available; take advantage of an opportunity
❍ 今见金桂所为，先已开了端了，他便乐得～，先弄薛蝌到手，不怕金桂不依，所以用言挑拨。(《红楼梦》1186) Now that her mistress had made the first move,she saw it as a good chance to pre-empt Xue Ke herself,for then Jingui could hardly raise any objection. That was why she had spoken provocatively to him. 借风使船jie feng shi chuansail before the wind—attain one's own end through the agency of sb. else |