以夷治夷
yǐ​yí​zhì​yí

play off foreigners against foreigners

  1. 以 yǐ preposition
    by means of
    to use; by means of; with; using the tool or method introduced
  2. 夷 yí verb
    foreigners
    (bound form) derogatory term for outsiders or foreigners, often used in modern history before the 20th century
  3. 治 zhì nounverb
    to rule
    to rule; to govern; to manage or administer; to harness a river
  4. 夷 yí verb
    foreigners
    (bound form) derogatory term for outsiders or foreigners, often used in modern history before the 20th century