退避三舍 tuìbìsānshè to give way Definitions Defs Origin Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 退避 tuìbì to withdraw to step back or move away in order to avoid an encounter; to retreat and keep a distance三 sān numeral three the number three; 3舍 shè she a measurement of distance used in ancient times, equal to 30 里 lǐ (about 15 kilometers)
