it is advancing sometimes to seem retreating
Chinese idiom, Pinyin is j ì nd à oru ò Tu ì, which means that the way forward is backward. It comes from Laozi.
The origin of Idioms
Lao Tzu: "if you know the truth, if you go forward, if you go back."
Idiom usage
As an object or attribute; used in figurative sentences. example although Lao's music is complete and he is on his way, he still needs to do it. Biography of Zhang Heng in the book of the later Han Dynasty
it is advancing sometimes to seem retreating
a wooden expression that infuriates - sǐ méi dèng yǎn
Extremely vicious and ferocious - jí è qióng xiōng
reversal of the order of host and guest - zhǔ kè diān dǎo
Plant in the morning and reap in the evening - zhāo zhǒng mù hù