he who strikes the first blow will win; whoever strikes first gains(/has) the advantage; to take the initiative is to gain the upper hand; offence is the best defence; it is best to take (/make) the running
? ～。她伸手拽出了櫓子槍?zhuān)罩壬蟻?lái)的那個(gè)當(dāng)?shù)囊患一?，…?(馮志《敵后武工隊(duì)》276) Better strike the first blow. She whipped out her gun and snapped off a shot at the one climbing the embankment./“～！”我默默地下定決心。(楊得志《強(qiáng)渡大渡河》) “He who strikes the first blow will be the winner，” I decided.
? 賣(mài)出或是買(mǎi)進(jìn)，～！(茅盾《子夜》233) Whether you’re buying or selling,remember the early bird gets the worm!/我待要～。(《關(guān)漢卿戲劇集·關(guān)大王獨(dú)赴單刀會(huì)》244) The first to strike will win.
先下手為強(qiáng)
he who launches a preemptive strike gains the upper hand;he who strikes first gains the advantage;catch the ball before the bound
～，后下手遭殃he who strikes first prevails;he who strikes late fails
先下手為強(qiáng)xiān xià shǒu wéi qiánɡ
先下手的就可以獲取優(yōu)勢(shì)。take the initiative is to gain the upper hand, the best defense is offense, The early bird gets the worm.