鼎足之势dǐng zú zhī shìa situation dominated by three powerful rivals; a situation of tripartite confrontation; triangular balance of power; tripartite balance of forces
❍ 有我荆州，乃四冲用武之地，保守无虞，分天下为鼎足之形。(《关汉卿戏剧集·关大王独赴单刀会》 235) Formerly we controlled the strategic province of Jingzhou,and by holding it securely kept the empire divided into three. 鼎足之势dǐnɡ zú zhī shì鼎：指古代的炊具，一般为圆形，三足两耳。比喻三方面分离的局势。a situation of triparitie confrontation, triangular balance of power, tripartite balance of forces |