退避三舍

tuìbìsānshè
  1. lit. to retreat ninety li (idiom)
  2. fig. to shun; to assiduously avoid

CEDICT

to give way to avoid a conflict in the face of superior strength (to avoid heavy losses)

Wiktionary

比喻遇到實力很強的對手，為避免正面衝突折損太多，乃主動讓步，不與人爭。參見「辟君三舍」條。

重編國語辭典

主動退讓，不與人相爭

維基詞典

Entry Composition

1 退避 tuìbì to withdraw
2 三 sān
  1. three
  2. 3
3 舍 shè
  1. (bound form) residence; house
  2. (bound form) my (in speaking of relatives younger than oneself, as in 舍妹 shèmèi)
  3. (archaic) unit of distance equal to 30 li 里 lǐ