指名道姓 (zhǐ míng dào xìng) — to name names; to mention someone by name (often in criticism or accusation)
Definition
An idiomatic way to say 'to name names' — calling someone out by their full name, usually when criticizing or accusing. The tone is direct and often confrontational, stronger than just mentioning a name in passing.
idiom
to name namesto mention someone by name (often in criticism or accusation)
Examples
- 。Jì zhě zài wén zhāng zhōng zhǐ míng dào xìng dì pī píng le nà wèi guān yuán.The journalist criticized that official by name in the article.
- 指名道姓，。Tā bù gǎn zhǐ míng dào xìng, zhǐ gǎn àn shì yǒu rén fàn le cuò.He didn't dare name names, only hinted that someone had made a mistake.
- 指名道姓。Huì yì shàng yǒu rén zhǐ míng dào xìng dì zhǐ zé gōng sī guǎn lǐ hùn luàn.At the meeting, someone named names and accused the company of chaotic management.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate
Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.
指名 means to point out a name and 道姓 means to speak a surname, together they mean to name someone explicitly.
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