Basic Info
Chinese Idiom: 借刀杀人
Pinyin: jiè dāo shā rén
Literal Meaning: Borrow a knife to kill someone.
Figurative meaning
A stratagem: to get rid of an enemy by manipulating a third‑party force to do the harm. One avoids taking direct action or bearing responsibility, while letting others suffer the risk and consequences.
Origin & Background
It is one of the Thirty‑Six Stratagems of ancient China.
This idiom belongs to The Thirty‑Six Stratagems, a well‑known collection of ancient Chinese military and political tactics.
The original text says:
“When the enemy is clearly identified but an ally has not yet taken a firm stand, lure that ally to attack the enemy and weaken him – using one to destroy the other.”
The phrase itself became popular through later literature, especially the Ming‑dynasty play San Zhu Ji (《三祝记》), where a character uses this tactic to frame and eliminate a rival.
Though its named phrase appears in later literary works, the core logic can be traced back to pre‑Qin state‑to‑state power games. The classic idea: instead of attacking your foe directly, provoke another party to destroy your target for you.
Usage note
Always negative. It describes cunning, underhand manipulation, used in politics, conflicts and daily life.
Key Lesson
Direct confrontation is often risky and costly. A clever strategist finds ways to achieve their goals without exposing themselves to danger. However, this tactic is morally questionable – it involves manipulating others and may cause collateral damage. Use it with caution, and only when the goal justifies the means (in strategy, not in personal ethics).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, “借刀杀人” is one of the most famous “dirty tricks” in the Thirty‑Six Stratagems. It is often mentioned in historical dramas, business warfare books, and even office politics. The idiom is usually used critically – to expose someone’s cunning and ruthlessness. If you say someone is “borrowing a knife,” you are accusing them of being manipulative and cowardly.
Equivalent English expressions
- Kill someone by another’s hand
- Use a third party as a cat’s‑paw (Make someone a cat’s paw)
- Get somebody else to do one’s dirty work
- Use a proxy
- Let someone else do the heavy lifting
- Play one off against another
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