兵马未动，粮草先行

兵馬未動，糧草先行
bīngmǎwèidòng,liángcǎoxiānxíng
  1. before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military maneuvers
  2. an army marches on its stomach

CEDICT

Entry Composition

1 兵马 bīngmǎ
  1. troops and horses
  2. military forces
2 未 wèi
  1. not yet
  2. did not
  3. have not
  4. not
  5. 8th earthly branch: 1-3 p.m., 6th solar month (7th July-6th August), year of the Sheep
  6. ancient Chinese compass point: 210°
3 动 dòng
  1. (of sth) to move
  2. to set in movement
  3. to displace
  4. to touch
  5. to make use of
  6. to stir (emotions)
  7. to alter
  8. abbr. for 动词 dòngcí, verb
4 粮草 liángcǎo
  1. army provisions
  2. rations and fodder
5 先行 xiānxíng
  1. to start off before the others; to precede
  2. to proceed in advance