杀一儆百 (shā yī jǐng bǎi) — to punish one as a warning to others; to make an example of someone
Definition
A chengyu meaning to punish one person severely as a warning to many — a deliberate strategy of deterrence, not actual revenge.
verb
to punish one as a warning to othersto make an example of someone
Examples
- 杀一儆百，。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.
- 杀一儆百。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.
- ，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.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate
Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.
杀 one and 儆 a hundred, so the fate of 一 warns 百.
Appears in
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