新官上任三把火 (xīn guān shàng rèn sān bǎ huǒ) — (idiom) a new broom sweeps clean; a new official makes swift changes when first taking office
Definition
A chengyu meaning 'a new broom sweeps clean' — describes a new leader who energetically pushes reforms at the start. The literal 'three fires' image suggests the zeal often fades.
idiom
a new broom sweeps cleana new official makes swift changes when first taking office
Examples
- 新官上任三把火，。Tā shì gè xīn guān shàng rèn sān bǎ huǒ, yí shàng rèn jiù gǎi le guī dìng.He's a new broom that sweeps clean — as soon as he took office, he changed the rules.
- 新官上任三把火，。Dà jiā dōu shuō xīn guān shàng rèn sān bǎ huǒ, guǒ rán zhè ge xīn jīng lǐ kāi shǐ biàn le hěn duō.Everyone says a new broom sweeps clean, and sure enough this new manager has started making lots of changes.
- 新官上任三把火，。Suī rán xīn guān shàng rèn sān bǎ huǒ, dàn yě yào kàn shí jì qíng kuàng.Although a new official tends to start with vigorous reforms, you also have to consider the actual situation.
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