開弓不放箭kāi gōng bù fàng jiàndraw the bow but not shoot the arrow—try a little blackmail ? 告訴他如此這般: “事還是竟弄破了好,還是 ‘~’,大家弄幾個錢有益?” (《儒林外史》170) “Which would be more profitable for us all?” he asked,having explained the situation. “To inform on him or to try a little blackmail?” |