An idiom expressing the idea of suffering a temporary loss oneself to inflict a greater blow on the opponent or to secure a later victory. (Alternative form of the phrase.)
新規事業では初期投資を受け入れてでもシェアを奪う、まさに肉を切らせて骨を切る戦略だ。
In the new business, they're willing to accept initial investments to seize market share—exactly a strategy of sacrificing flesh to cut bone.
交渉では一部の条件を譲歩してでも大きな利得を得る、そんな時に『肉を切らせて骨を切る』と言う。
In negotiations you might concede some terms to gain a larger benefit—that's when people say 'to lose flesh in order to cut bone.'
武将は時に兵を減らしてでも敵本隊を討つ、肉を切らせて骨を切る判断をした。
Generals sometimes sacrificed troops to defeat the enemy main force, making the decision to lose flesh to cut bone.