天罗地网
天罗地网 (tiān luó dì wǎng) literally means “nets of heaven and earth” and expresses “inescapable net; dragnet”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: tian luo di wang, tian luo di wang,天罗地网 meaning, 天罗地网 in english
Inescapable net; dragnet
Pronunciation: tiān luó dì wǎng Literal meaning: Nets of heaven and earth
Origin & Usage
A net (罗) over heaven (天) and a net (网) across earth (地). Two different words for a net are used, one for catching birds and one for fish, so the pair covers the air and the ground and the phrase leaves no medium unaccounted for. That completeness is the claim. Manhunts and surveillance, from the perspective of whoever set the nets — a fugitive is caught in one, never described as having laid it.
Examples
English: "The police set up a dragnet to catch the fugitives."
Chinese: 警方布下天罗地网抓捕逃犯。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about strategy & action
一网打尽
yī wǎng dǎ jìn
Round up every last one in a single sweep
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门可罗雀
mén kě luó què
Deserted; hardly a visitor
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包罗万象
bāo luó wàn xiàng
All-inclusive
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改天换地
gǎi tiān huàn dì
Profound transformation
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天长地久
tiān cháng dì jiǔ
Everlasting; eternal
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惊天动地
jīng tiān dòng dì
Earth-shaking; tremendous
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开天辟地
kāi tiān pì dì
Groundbreaking achievement
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天翻地覆
tiān fān dì fù
Dramatic upheaval
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 天罗地网 mean in English?
天罗地网 (tiān luó dì wǎng) literally translates to “Nets of heaven and earth” and is used to express “Inescapable net; dragnet”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 天罗地网 used?
Situation: The police set up a dragnet to catch the fugitives.
What is the pinyin for 天罗地网?
The pinyin pronunciation for 天罗地网 is “tiān luó dì wǎng”.