扫平 (sǎo píng) — to crush, suppress, wipe out (an enemy, obstacle, opposition); to sweep level, flatten (literally)

Definition

A composite verb (扫 + 平) meaning to sweep something flat — used literally for leveling ground and figuratively for crushing all opposition. Pairs with 把 in the disposal construction.

verb
to crushsuppresswipe out (an enemy, obstacle, opposition)to sweep levelflatten (literally)

Examples

  • 扫平。
    Zhè zhī jūn duì zài zhàn chǎng shàng sǎo píng le suǒ yǒu dí rén.
    This army crushed all enemies on the battlefield.
  • 扫平。
    Wǒ men bì xū sǎo píng qián jìn lù shang de yí qiè kùn nan.
    We must overcome all difficulties on the way forward.
  • 扫平。
    Tā yòng sào zhou bǎ yuàn zi sǎo píng le.
    He swept the yard until it was level.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

扫sǎosweep
平píngflat

扫 is sweeping and 平 is level or flat, so it means sweeping something level or crushing it.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 掃; 扫 is its simplified writing.

The form 掃 draws a hand with a broomstick, the thing used for sweeping.

Open 扫 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

Open 平 →

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