A proverb advising that if you want to defeat a leader, you should first remove his support — i.e., don't attack the top directly; weaken his foundations first.
敵のリーダーを倒すには、将を射んと欲すれば先ず馬を射よという考えで周辺から対策を立てた。
To defeat the enemy leader, we planned countermeasures against his supporters first, following the idea 'first shoot the horse if you want the general.'
ビジネスで大手企業に挑むなら、将を射んと欲すれば先ず馬を射よ、という戦略が有効だ。
When challenging a major company in business, the strategy 'attack the support before the leader' can be effective.
サッカーでエースを封じるには、将を射んと欲すれば先ず馬を射よの発想でパスコースを消した。
To neutralize the star player in soccer, we cut off his passing options first, following the 'hit the horse before the general' idea.