Definition
杀一儆百 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to punish one person as a warning to a hundred others'. It describes a strategy where a severe punishment is given to an individual to deter the broader group from similar behavior. The literal image is 'kill one to warn a hundred', but in modern usage it applies to any exemplary punishment, not necessarily execution. Use it when talking about discipline, law enforcement, or management tactics.
v
to punish one as a warning to othersto make an example of someone
Examples
- 杀一儆百，。Gōngsī juédìng shā yī jǐng bǎi, kāichú nàge wéiguī de yuángōng yǐ jǐngshì qítā 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。Gǔdài tǒngzhìzhě cháng yòng shā yī jǐng bǎi de shǒuduàn lái wéihù shèhuì zhìxù.Ancient rulers often used the tactic of punishing one to warn a hundred to maintain social order.
- ，杀一儆百。Zhè cì yánchéng bìngfēi bàofù, ér shì wèile shā yī jǐng bǎi.This severe punishment is not revenge, but to make an example of someone.
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