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선즉제인 先則制人
He who makes the first move controls the opponent. Taking the initiative gives you the upper hand.
선즉제인 (先則制人) means "He who makes the first move controls the opponent. Taking the initiative gives you the upper hand.". Seonjeukjein originates from the 'Annals of Xiang Yu' in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji).
1 Meaning
선즉제인 (先則制人) means “He who makes the first move controls the opponent. Taking the initiative gives you the upper hand.”.
Seonjeukjein is a Korean idiom meaning 'if you act ahead of others, you can subdue them.' It emphasizes the importance of gaining the initiative and taking control of a situation.
The Western Equivalent
“Strike first to gain the upper hand”
Similar in spirit. The idea that whoever acts first controls the outcome echoes "he who strikes first, strikes twice" and "the early bird catches the worm," though the Korean phrase is specifically about seizing the initiative to dominate a rival.
2 Examples
A highly competitive new product development project.
Filing patents for core technologies and releasing a prototype to the market ahead of competitors.
A conflict between departments in the workplace.
Approaching the opposing department head first with a proposed solution and initiating dialogue before the issue escalates.
Planning a marketing strategy amidst rapidly changing trends.
Being the first to execute a marketing campaign utilizing a new platform that others haven't tried yet.
Which situation fits this idiom?
Pick the everyday scene where “선즉제인” fits best.
3 Origin
4 Key Lessons
Hesitation causes missed opportunities, making quick decision-making essential.
Proactive action allows you to seize control of a situation.
The courage to overcome inner fear and act first is crucial.
5 English Expression
English Vocabulary
split second
아주 짧은 순간, 찰나
"He made a split-second decision to jump."
fade
서서히 사라지다, 희미해지다
"The music began to fade away."
reveal
드러내다, 밝히다
"She refused to reveal her secret."
doubt
의심, 불확실성
"I have no doubt that you will succeed."
6 Learn with Music
Related Idioms
선즉제인
Memorize idiom meanings and examples with various music genres
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