1.瞒天过海Cross the sea under camouflage¹.

2.围魏救赵Relieve the state of Zhao by besieging² the state of Wei.

3.借刀杀人Kill someone with a borrowed knife.

4.以逸待劳Wait for the exhausted³ enemy at one's ease.

5.趁火打劫 Loot a burning house.

6.声东击西 Clamour in the east, attack in the west.

7.无中生有 Create something out of nothing.

8.暗渡陈仓 Pretend to take one path while sneaking⁴ down the other.

9.隔岸观火 Watch a fire burning from the other side of the river.

10.笑里藏刀 Knife hidden under the smiling face.

11.李代桃僵 Sacrifice the plum for the peach.

12.顺手牵羊 Take the opportunity to pilfer⁵ a goat.

13.打草惊蛇 Disturb the snake by hitting the grass.

14.借尸还魂 Borrow another's body to return the soul.

15.调虎离山Entice⁶ the tiger to leave the mountain.

16.欲擒故纵To catch something, first let it go.

17.抛砖引玉Bait a piece of jade⁷ with a brick.

18.擒贼擒王To catch the bandit ,first capture their leader.

19.釜底抽薪Take away the firewood under the cooking pot.

20.混水摸鱼Fish in troubled water.

21.金蝉脱壳Get away like the cicada sloughing⁸ its skin.

22.关门捉贼Shut the door to catch the thief.

23.远交近攻Befriend a distant state while attacking a neighbor.

24.假途伐虢Obtain safe passage to conquer the enemy.

25.偷梁换柱Replace the beams with rotten timbers.

26.指桑骂槐Revile⁹ the locust¹⁰ tree while pointing at the mulberry.

27.假痴不癫Play dumb, remain smart.

28.上屋抽梯Pull down the ladder after ascent¹¹.

29.树上开花Deck the tree with bogus blossom.

30.反客为主Make the guest and host change places.

31.美人计The beauty trap; Use seductive women to corrupt¹² the enemy.

32.空城计Present a bold front to conceal¹³ unpreparedness.

33.反间计Sow discord¹⁴ among the enemy; Use double agent.

34.苦肉计Inflict injury upon oneself to gain trust.

35.连环计Chain together the enemy's ships.

36.走为上Run away to fight another day; Escape is the best policy.