引而不发yǐn ér bù fādraw the bow but not discharge (/release) the arrow—show people what to do without doing it for them
❍ 君子～，跃如也。(《孟子·尽心上》) The superior man draws the bow,but does not discharge the arrow.
❍ 共产党对于这些东西的宣传政策应当是：“～，跃如也。”(《毛泽东选集》33) The Communist Party’s propaganda policy in such matters should be，“Draw the bow without shooting,just indicate the motions.” 引而不发yǐn ér bù fā引：开弓；发：发射。拉开弓但不发射。比喻做好各种准备，等待时机行动。draw the bow but not discharge the arrow, show people what to do without doing it for them |