鷸いつ蚌ぼうの争あらそい

expression, noun

a fight where neither side gains, but a third party benefits

Idiomatic expression derived from a Chinese fable; often used to warn against mutual destruction that allows an outsider to profit. Compare with 漁夫の利.

See also: 漁夫の利

• 両りょう社しゃの価か格かく競きょう争そうは鷸いつ蚌ぼうの争あらそいとなり、結けっ局きょくは新しん規き参さん入にゅうした外がい資し系けい企き業ぎょうに市し場じょうを奪うばわれた。

  The price war between the two companies turned into a fight where neither benefited, and in the end a newly entered foreign-affiliated firm took the market.

• 派は閥ばつ同どう士しの鷸いつ蚌ぼうの争あらそいが続つづけば、組そ織しき全ぜん体たいが弱じゃく体たい化かするだけだ。

  If the factions keep fighting each other like the snipe and the clam, the whole organization will only weaken.