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straw boat borrows arrows
The act of using someone's strength against them.
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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.
- - - - -
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: >:)
Jin: Straw boat borrows arrows, eh?
Mike: That's not one of those Chinese proverbs, is it?
Jin: >:)
straw boat borrows arrows by seizure_salad January 8, 2010
Related Words
arrowcs • arrows • arrowsmith • Arrowcon • arrowslinger • arrowspam • arrowstotle • red arrows • night arrows • meme arrows
night arrows
A term which describes arrows that are not on fire.
First used in the 2003 film "Timeline", the term was popularized by the podcast Movies You Should See.
First used in the 2003 film "Timeline", the term was popularized by the podcast Movies You Should See.
night arrows by kumarhk January 29, 2009
Three Arrows
The Three Arrows were a symbol originally used by the German Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SDP) during the interwar period, but they are now recognized as a general anti-authoritarian symbol.
The arrows stand for the different types of authoritarianism that should be opposed. Their commonly accepted meanings go as follows (from top left to bottom right):
1. Reactionaries/Royalists
2. Nazis/Fascists
3. Marxist-Leninists/Authoritarian Socialists
In the 21st century groups ranging widely from Social Democrats to Anarchists have been known to use the symbol, sometimes unified under the banner of the Iron Front or Anti-fascism/Antifa.
The arrows stand for the different types of authoritarianism that should be opposed. Their commonly accepted meanings go as follows (from top left to bottom right):
1. Reactionaries/Royalists
2. Nazis/Fascists
3. Marxist-Leninists/Authoritarian Socialists
In the 21st century groups ranging widely from Social Democrats to Anarchists have been known to use the symbol, sometimes unified under the banner of the Iron Front or Anti-fascism/Antifa.
Person A: "The President has been taking more and more control over our federal government. If we're not careful we'll end up as a dictatorship!"
Person B: "We must fight to keep them in check. Three arrows!"
Person B: "We must fight to keep them in check. Three arrows!"
Three Arrows by feelmycoilunwind June 12, 2022
Freddie Arrowsmith
Fred Arrowsmith is a 5 foot 1 fucking midget who got with a girl who he then dumped only a few hours later. He simps for girls left right and centre but at the end of the day is a bellend. He’s a nice guy sometimes when he’s not fingering Anna in a chemistry lab
Freddie Arrowsmith by user_heks7384783 June 29, 2020
arrowsmith
1.one whos is obsessed with all things star wars, spends ungodly amounts of money to have the latest storm trooper armour and action figures.
2.cosiders himself to be the leader of an elite commando group, excells at all video games mainly shooters.
3.loves to embarress himself by making strange noises and "music" with his mouth in public.
2.cosiders himself to be the leader of an elite commando group, excells at all video games mainly shooters.
3.loves to embarress himself by making strange noises and "music" with his mouth in public.
hey arrowsmith, whos better jango fet or boba fett.
well jango hes not a clone you f***
well you see you could have gotten the medal on the hanger level, if you were a "commando".
well jango hes not a clone you f***
well you see you could have gotten the medal on the hanger level, if you were a "commando".
arrowsmith by haha yeaaaa April 29, 2008
Brown Arrows
The parallel brown lines left on the porcelain of a toilet bowl after a flush.
These resemble the smoke lines left by the precision aerobatic team the Red Arrows of the British Royal Air Force.
These resemble the smoke lines left by the precision aerobatic team the Red Arrows of the British Royal Air Force.
"I don't know who was last in that toilet but it looks like the Brown Arrows sure put on a good display..."
Brown Arrows by Cheviot Ranter April 17, 2009
More from Urban Dictionary
Respectfully
Precedes or follows either a gratuitously disrespectful or honest remark, originated in New York City. Used in similar fashion to "no offense" or "to be honest," interchangeably.
Ya mans is wild buns, respectfully. Respectfully he's washed.
After school, The Modells on Jamaica Ave was active. Respectfully.
After school, The Modells on Jamaica Ave was active. Respectfully.
Respectfully by john quan the first December 20, 2020
Word of the Day on September 26, 2026
You met me at a very Chinese time in my life
Dante: "I wish I could be Nigerian, but I can't because I'm Chinese. You met me at a very Chinese time in my life."
You met me at a very Chinese time in my life by Sus Chad September 21, 2026
Word of the Day on September 25, 2026
crunchy
Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.
Also used to describe establishments where alternative foods and products are sold, i.e. natural food stores.
Modified derivative of granola.
Also used to describe establishments where alternative foods and products are sold, i.e. natural food stores.
Modified derivative of granola.
murderhobo
In a tabletop game, a murderhobo is a player who murders NPCs indiscriminately. This is normally derogatory, referring to a player who totally ignores quests, dialog, backstory, trade, world building etc.
The term is most common with Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be applied to most RPGs where the player is allowed to kill most quest-giving NPCs and NPC traders. E.g. Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Divinity original sin.
The term is most common with Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be applied to most RPGs where the player is allowed to kill most quest-giving NPCs and NPC traders. E.g. Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Divinity original sin.
DM: The sad little orphan girl tugs at Steve's trenchcoat to get his attention, and ask for help saving her pet dog from...
Steve: I'd like to roll a strength check against strangling the orphan.
Dave: I call dibs on the dog.
DM: You murderhobos disgust me.
Steve: I'd like to roll a strength check against strangling the orphan.
Dave: I call dibs on the dog.
DM: You murderhobos disgust me.
murderhobo by Loup&S September 9, 2021
Word of the Day on September 22, 2026
Whale
In sales terms, a whale is a prospect that is significantly larger than an organization’s average customer.
Whales are large and extremely difficult to close. Due to their immense size, they are highly sought-after.
A whale is typically identified at first by a whale hunter on the sales team, but often requires cross-discipline participation in order to close; this includes assistance from operations, engineering, creative, client success, and business development teams.
Whales are large and extremely difficult to close. Due to their immense size, they are highly sought-after.
A whale is typically identified at first by a whale hunter on the sales team, but often requires cross-discipline participation in order to close; this includes assistance from operations, engineering, creative, client success, and business development teams.