Skip to main content

straw boat borrows arrows

The act of using someone's strength against them.

- - - - -

The term is said to have originated from the Chinese strategist, Zhuge Liang, during the Battle of Red Cliff against the army of Cao Cao.

Before the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhuge Liang went to visit the Wu camp to assist Wu strategist Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu saw Zhuge Liang as a threat to Eastern Wu and was also jealous of Zhuge Liang's talent. Therefore, he assigned Zhuge Liang the task to make 100,000 arrows in ten days or face execution. Zhuge Liang, however, swore he would finish this seemingly impossible task in three days. He requested 20 large boats, each manned with many straw men and a few soldiers. Before dawn, Zhuge Liang ordered his soldiers to beat war drums and shout orders, to imitate the noise of an attack.

Zhuge Liang sat with Lu Su inside one of the boats drinking wine. The Wei soldiers, unable to see in the fog, fired many volleys of arrows at the sound of the drums. The straw men were soon filled with arrows, and Zhuge Liang returned to Wu having fulfilled his promise.
(Jin blocks Mike's punch to the face, and in seconds brings his friend to the ground)

Jin: Straw boat borrows arrows, eh?
Mike: That's not one of those Chinese proverbs, is it?
Jin: >:)
by seizure_salad January 8, 2010
mugGet the straw boat borrows arrows mug.

Borrr

The noise a stomach makes after eating a shit meal.
K: stomach grumbles *borrr*
M: hahaha your stomach just went 'borrr'.
by MasterBorrr June 8, 2018
mugGet the Borrr mug.

I borrowed your back brush

A joke. When overnighting at a friend/girlfriend's place and you bathe or shower the next morning,you inform your host that you took the liberty of using their back brush.In most cases,the host will advise you that they don't own a back brush. You then ask,"Well,what is that loop-shaped brush in the container on the bathroom floor?" After they quit laughing,they'll say,"That's the fuckin' toilet brush,dumbass!" Guaranteed giggles every time.
Hey darlin',I hope you don't mind,but,I borrowed your back brush. It was a slice of heaven.
by wolfbait51 May 8, 2011
mugGet the I borrowed your back brush mug.

Bacon Borrowed

When you "borrow" something edible/consumable without someone's permission, that probably, won't be missed, with no intention of ever, ever, giving it back.
Where did you guys get all these jello shots?

We bacon borrowed them from Hogtown last weekend when we visited them.
by AssTek November 27, 2012
mugGet the Bacon Borrowed mug.

Borgore

Dubstep producer, makes filthy dubstep songs about sex. That's why everyone loves him.
Borgore: Hey kids it's borgore, do you know what's hardcore? Me shoving an elephant up your sistas backdoor.
by CreedNap July 28, 2011
mugGet the Borgore mug.

Borborygmi

The noise your stomach makes when you are hungry.
What a loud borborygmi your stomach just made! Go eat a sammich!
by Meagan Elizabeth Kay May 22, 2006
mugGet the Borborygmi mug.

Borborygmus

stomach rumble: the rumbling sounds made by the movement of gases in the stomach and intestine (technical)
If you lay your head on someone's stomach, you are likely to hear borborygmus.
by illEATurHARTout March 23, 2004
mugGet the Borborygmus mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email