controlling foreigners by using other foreigners; playing one barbarian state against another
A yojijukugo derived from classical Chinese strategy; used in historical or political contexts to describe a divide-and-rule approach against external groups.
See also: 夷を以て夷を制す
Ancient Chinese dynasties sometimes adopted a policy of controlling barbarians by using other barbarians.
This diplomatic approach is based on the so-called idea of playing one foreign power against another.
The full classical Chinese phrase from which 以夷制夷 is abbreviated; used in more formal or explanatory contexts.
Standard kanji form for this yojijukugo.
Variant kanji form using 征 instead of 制; less common.
A classical Chinese four-character expression meaning “use one group of outsiders to control another,” historically describing a policy of managing foreign peoples by setting them against one another.