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chún 唇 qiāng 枪 shé 舌 jiàn 剑

唇枪舌剑 chún qiāng shé jiàn

a heated verbal battle; to cross swords in debate

Literally: lip spear tongue sword

Advanced 💬 Speech & communication
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Origin

From a Yuan dynasty play by Gao Wenxiu, describing debaters whose lips and tongues were weapons.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; neutral. Often 双方唇枪舌剑.

Example sentences

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  1. 辩论赛上双方唇枪舌剑，气氛十分紧张。
    Biànlùnsài shàng shuāngfāng chún qiāng shé jiàn, qìfēn shífēn jǐnzhāng.
    In the debate both sides crossed swords fiercely and the atmosphere was very tense.
    debate-contest on both-sides lip spear tongue sword, atmosphere very tense
  2. 经过一番唇枪舌剑，两位律师谁也没能说服谁。
    Jīngguò yī fān chún qiāng shé jiàn, liǎng wèi lǜshī shéi yě méi néng shuōfú shéi.
    After a heated verbal battle, neither lawyer managed to convince the other.
    after one (measure) lip spear tongue sword, two (measure) lawyers who also not can persuade who

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