never fight a land war in Asia
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Don't bite off more than you can chew; don't start a fight that is too big to win.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Although Britain is one of the world's most lucrative markets, with retail sales of £286bn last year, expensive shop rents and world-class local competition have kept international groups at bay. Indeed, some analysts put the UK in the "never fight a land war in Asia" category due to the challenges
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “never fight a land war in Asia” mean?
Don't bite off more than you can chew; don't start a fight that is too big to win.
Is “never fight a land war in Asia” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.