拉锯战

拉锯战

Literally means:

a seesaw battle

Actually means:

a long-lasting struggle

It originally refers to a state of battle, in which both military parties may launch attacks and make retreat alternately and such a state lasts a long time with neither side winning. It figuratively means two parties keep negotiating or competing for certain period of time.

原指一种战争状态，即两军在一段时间内反复交战，双方都有进攻，也有退却，但是一直难分输赢。比喻双方在一段时间内反复谈判或较量。