以子之矛，攻子之盾
yǐ​zǐ​zhī​máo​gōng​zǐ​zhī​dùn

to use someone's own weapon against them

  1. 以 yǐ preposition
    by means of
    to use; by means of; with; using the tool or method introduced
  2. 子 zǐ noun
    master
    (literary) master or teacher, used as a title of respect; also used as a polite way to say "you"
  3. 之 zhī particle
    [possessive]
    Connects a describing word or phrase to the noun it describes, similar to 的 de but used in formal or literary writing.
  4. 矛 máo noun
    spear
    spear; lance; pike; an ancient weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharp metal blade at the end
  5. ， gōng
    non-Chinese
  6. 攻 gōng verbnoun
    to attack
    to attack; to assault; to launch an offensive
  7. 子 zǐ noun
    master
    (literary) master or teacher, used as a title of respect; also used as a polite way to say "you"
  8. 之 zhī particle
    [possessive]
    Connects a describing word or phrase to the noun it describes, similar to 的 de but used in formal or literary writing.
  9. 盾 dùn noun
    shield
    an ancient defensive weapon used to block blades and arrows