qiān千thousandfāng方methodbǎi百hundredjì计plan
by every possible means; by hook or by crook
Literal meaning
thousand (千) — method (方) — hundred (百) — plan (计)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase indicating the use of all possible methods to achieve a goal.
Examples
Tā他qiān千fāng方bǎi百jì计de地xiǎng想zhǎo找dào到jiě解jué决wèn问tí题de的bàn办fǎ法。
He tried every possible means to find a solution to the problem.
Wèi为le了chéng成gōng功，wǒ我men们bì必xū须qiān千fāng方bǎi百jì计。
In order to succeed, we must try every possible means.
Usage & nuances
Emphasizes the determination and effort put into achieving a goal.
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