Sometimes losing now is winning in the long run; yielding or retreating can be the wiser choice leading to eventual success.
交渉で今回は譲ることにした。負けるが勝ちという考えだ。
We decided to concede this time in negotiations. It's the 'losing now is winning later' idea.
子供に無理強いせずに習い事をやめさせた。結果的に本人に合う道が見つかり、負けるが勝ちだった。
I didn't force my child and let them quit the lessons. In the end they found a better fit—losing then was winning.
試合で無理をせず交代したのが功を奏した。負けるが勝ちの判断だった。
Replacing him in the match without taking risks paid off. It was a 'lose now to win later' decision.