# 将计就计

jiāng jì jiù jì

Turn another person’s scheme against them

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Use the scheme as the basis for one’s own scheme

**Traditional Chinese:** 將計就計

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe a counterplan exploiting an opponent’s tactics.

Usually intentional strategy, not accidental luck.

## Understanding the expression

Instead of stopping the opponent’s plan immediately, the person lets it create the conditions for a counterplan. The same deception or maneuver is redirected against its initiator. Modern examples include games, fictional plots, and carefully managed investigations. The expression highlights strategic use of the other side’s expectations. It does not mean simply copying a trick. Nor does cleverness remove the need to consider safety, rules, and the consequences for uninvolved people.

## Examples

棋手将计就计，反设陷阱。

### Traditional Chinese

棋手將計就計，反設陷阱。

qí shǒu jiāng jì jiù jì ， fǎn shè xiàn jǐng 。

The chess player used the opponent’s scheme to set a countertrap.

她识破骗局后将计就计。

### Traditional Chinese

她識破騙局後將計就計。

tā shí pò piàn jú hòu jiāng jì jiù jì 。

After seeing through the scam, she turned the scheme against its planners.

他将计就计，假装接受条件。

### Traditional Chinese

他將計就計，假裝接受條件。

tā jiāng jì jiù jì ， jiǎ zhuāng jiē shòu tiáo jiàn 。

He pretended to accept the terms as part of a counterplan.

小说主角将计就计，揭穿了幕后人。

### Traditional Chinese

小說主角將計就計，揭穿了幕後人。

xiǎo shuō zhǔ jué jiāng jì jiù jì ， jiē chuān le mù hòu rén 。

The novel’s protagonist exploited the scheme to expose its mastermind.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%B0%87%E8%A8%88%E5%B0%B1%E8%A8%88)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=895&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [狡兔三窟 jiǎo tù sān kū Keep several routes of escape or backup plans ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiao-tu-san-ku)

- [矫枉过正 jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng Overcorrect a problem ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jiao-wang-guo-zheng)

- [节外生枝 jié wài shēng zhī Create unexpected complications ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jie-wai-sheng-zhi)

- [竭泽而渔 jié zé ér yú Sacrifice the future for an immediate gain ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/jie-ze-er-yu)

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