出自《三国演义》，比喻不但没占到便宜，反而遭受了一定损失。
From the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, referring to not only failing to gain an advantage, but suffering a loss as well.
周瑜为夺回被刘备占据的荆州，想出一条计策：把孙权的妹妹许配给刘备，孙刘两家结合姻亲，共同对付曹操。等刘备过江迎亲时，扣下刘备当人质交换荆州。
To take back Jingzhou which Liu Bei occupied, Zhou Yu devised a plan for Sun Quan: marry his younger sister to Liu Bei to form an alliance against Cao Cao. When Liu came to the east to wed, they could detain him as a hostage to exchange for Jingzhou.
孙权为讨回荆州，采纳了周瑜的意见，派人到刘备处说亲。诸葛亮神机妙算，看出这是东吴的诡计，但为了维护孙刘联盟的稳固，就劝刘备前往江东。
To recover Jingzhou, Sun Quan sent envoys to Liu Bei proposing the marriage alliance. Zhuge Liang saw through the Eastern Wu’s scheme, but to maintain the Sun-Liu alliance, he advised Liu Bei to go east.
刘备到东吴后，按照诸葛亮的计谋行事，与孙权的妹妹顺利完婚。孙权的妹妹敬重刘备是英雄，和刘备相处非常融洽。
After Liu Bei successfully wed Sun Quan’s sister in the east, she respected Liu as a hero and they got along well.
刘备有美人陪伴，就忘了危险，也没有回去的打算。此时，赵云按诸葛亮的安排求见刘备，谎称荆州有事，请刘备尽快回去。刘备这才想起国家大事，打算马上赶回。孙夫人知书达理，愿意和刘备一起回去。于是他们向荆州方向逃去。
With a beauty by his side, Liu Bei forgot the dangers and had no intention of leaving. Zhao Yun then arrived claiming urgent matters in Jingzhou required Liu’s return, per Zhuge Liang’s arrangements. Only then did Liu Bei remember state affairs and prepare to depart. His wise wife agreed to accompany him back.
孙权知道刘备逃跑后，急忙派人去追。多亏孙夫人三番五次挡住了孙权派去的人马，刘备才得以逃到江边。在江边正要找船渡江时，孙权的追兵再次赶到。
Realizing Liu Bei was fleeing, Sun Quan sent troops to give chase. Thanks to the bride repeatedly obstructing the pursuers, Liu Bei reached the river. As he sought a boat to cross, Sun’s forces arrived again.
危急时刻，诸葛亮带人乘船向江边驶来。刘备喜出望外，急忙和孙夫人上船，渡江而去。他们刚刚上岸，周瑜就率大军追来。这时，埋伏在路边的蜀军呼喊着杀出，把追兵打得溃不成军。
In this crisis, Zhuge Liang came by water with ships. Overjoyed, Liu Bei and his wife boarded and crossed the river. Just after landing, Zhou Yu’s main army closed in. But Shu forces lying in ambush sprung out, routing Zhou Yu’s troops.
在乘船离开江东后，诸葛亮派士兵大喊：“周郎妙计安天下，赔了夫人又折兵！”周瑜心胸狭隘，被气得旧伤复发，晕倒在船上。
As the ships departed, Zhuge Liang’s soldiers mocked: “Zhou Yu’s brilliant plan to secure the realm, only lost the woman and the troops!” Narrow-minded Zhou Yu was so infuriated his old wound relapsed and he fainted on board.