开弓不放箭kāi gōng bù fàng jiàndraw the bow but not shoot the arrow—try a little blackmail
❍ 告诉他如此这般： “事还是竟弄破了好，还是 ‘～’，大家弄几个钱有益？” (《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?” |