杀一儆百 (shā yī jǐng bǎi) — to punish one as a warning to others; to make an example of someone

Definition

Examples

• 公司决定杀一儆百，开除那个违规的员工以警示其他人。
  Gōng sī jué dìng shā yī jǐng bǎi, kāi chú nà ge wéi guī de yuán gōng yǐ jǐng shì qí tā rén.
  The company decided to make an example of that employee who broke the rules by firing him to warn the others.
• 古代统治者常用杀一儆百的手段来维护社会秩序。
  Gǔ dài tǒng zhì zhě cháng yòng shā yī jǐng bǎi de shǒu duàn lái wéi hù shè huì zhì xù.
  Ancient rulers often used the tactic of punishing one to warn a hundred to maintain social order.
• 这次严惩并非报复，而是为了杀一儆百。
  Zhè cì yán chéng bìng fēi bào fu, ér shì wèi le shā yī jǐng bǎi.
  This severe punishment is not revenge, but to make an example of someone.