矫枉过正 (jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng) — to overcorrect, to go too far in trying to fix a problem

Definition

Examples

• 他为了改掉坏习惯，反而矫枉过正，变得太严格了。
  Tā wèi le gǎi diào huài xí guàn, fǎn ér jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng, biàn de tài yán gé le.
  He tried to break a bad habit but overcorrected and became too strict.
• 改革不能矫枉过正，否则会带来新的问题。
  Gǎi gé bù néng jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng, fǒu zé huì dài lái xīn de wèn tí.
  Reforms must not overcorrect, or they'll bring new problems.
• 老师批评学生时要注意分寸，避免矫枉过正。
  Lǎo shī pī píng xué shēng shí yào zhù yì fēn cùn, bì miǎn jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng.
  When criticizing students, teachers should be careful not to overcorrect.