大刀阔斧
大刀阔斧 (dà dāo kuò fǔ) literally means “big knife, broad axe” and expresses “bold action”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: da dao kuo fu, da dao kuo fu,大刀阔斧 meaning, 大刀阔斧 in english
Bold action
Pronunciation: dà dāo kuò fǔ Literal meaning: Big knife, broad axe
Origin & Usage
Big knives (大刀) and broad axes (阔斧) — the heavy weapons of vernacular fiction, swung rather than aimed. Applied to action the phrase means sweeping and unsubtle, and Chinese uses it above all of reform: restructurings, budget cuts, redesigns done in large strokes rather than by adjustment. It is genuinely neutral about whether this is wise. The same phrase praises decisiveness and describes the destruction of something that needed finer handling.
Examples
English: "The manager approached the project with a bold and decisive strategy."
Chinese: 经理以大刀阔斧的策略推进项目。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
乘风破浪
chéng fēng pò làng
Boldly forge ahead through adversity
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借刀杀人
jiè dāo shā rén
Indirect manipulation
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鬼斧神工
guǐ fǔ shén gōng
Supernatural craftsmanship
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班门弄斧
bān mén nòng fǔ
Showing amateur skills to masters
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笑里藏刀
xiào lǐ cáng dāo
Hide malice behind smile
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高谈阔论
gāo tán kuò lùn
Empty grandiose talk
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海阔天空
hǎi kuò tiān kōng
Unbounded scope; or talk that rambles everywhere
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斩钉截铁
zhǎn dīng jié tiě
Decisively and firmly without hesitation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 大刀阔斧 mean in English?
大刀阔斧 (dà dāo kuò fǔ) literally translates to “Big knife, broad axe” and is used to express “Bold action”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 大刀阔斧 used?
Situation: The manager approached the project with a bold and decisive strategy.
What is the pinyin for 大刀阔斧?
The pinyin pronunciation for 大刀阔斧 is “dà dāo kuò fǔ”.