to decapitate; to execute by cutting off the head

to cut off, chop in two, or sever; to cleave through something

resolute and decisive; categorical and unhesitating in speech or action. Literally means 'to chop the nail and slice the iron'

to destroy the root of a problem to prevent it from returning; originally from the Zuo Zhuan [[左传|左傳|zuo3 zhuan4]], to eliminate a source of trouble completely

To surmount a series of difficulties or defeat many opponents on the way to success; often used to describe someone who smoothly achieves their goal. This is an abbreviation for [[过五关斩六将|過五關斬六將|guo4 wu3 guan1 zhan3 liu4 jiang4]].

to hack through thistles and thorns; to overcome all obstacles and break through hardships

To chop someone in half at the waist, referring to an ancient form of capital punishment

To solve a complex problem through quick and decisive action; literally "to cut through a knot of tangled hemp with a sharp knife"

Literally meaning to execute a criminal before reporting to the emperor, this idiom describes taking decisive action or handling a matter before getting approval from a superior.

literally to cross five passes and slay six generals; figuratively to overcome multiple obstacles or win a series of victories on the way to success

to behead; to decapitate; to execute a criminal by beheading

to kill everyone; to wipe out completely; describes being ruthless and leaving no survivors or room for compromise

To cut through the waves; used to describe a ship moving forward or metaphorically to describe overcoming obstacles and difficulties in one's path.

Cantonese-style poached chicken that is boiled whole, sliced into pieces, and served cold with a dipping sauce

to execute an entire family and confiscate their property; used as a set phrase to describe a severe collective punishment

to behead a criminal and exhibit the head to the public as a warning

to execute by decapitation; to behead

(literary) to execute by beheading; to decapitate a criminal

to confiscate a person's property and execute their entire family in old China

Behead enemy generals and capture their flags; describes being brave and fierce in battle.

to settle a complicated matter by taking decisive action; to make a quick decision in a complex situation

(idiom) when two countries are at war, they should not execute messengers or envoys sent from the other side

to take action before reporting to one's superiors; to execute a decision and only inform the authorities after the fact

to use a sharp knife to cut through a tangled mess of hemp; to resolve a complex problem with quick and decisive action

(literary) to chop down trees; to fell; to prune

To rip off a customer by charging exorbitant prices or using deceptive means to get their money

completely new; fresh

to behead; to execute by decapitation

(historical) a sentence of death with execution delayed until the next judicial review; specifically used during the Ming and Qing dynasties for criminals held in prison awaiting the autumn or imperial review for a final verdict

(literary) to blink or wink; also used to describe a very short period of time, similar to the twinkling of an eye

to be beheaded immediately; a historical legal sentence for immediate execution by decapitation without waiting for the annual review

to take action or carry out a task without reporting the fact to one's superiors

to kill or capture an enemy in battle; to take as spoils of war

(literary) the most solemn of the five degrees of mourning dress in ancient China, made of the coarsest unhemmed hemp and worn for three years for a parent or husband

a military operation aimed at removing the leadership or command and control of an enemy

To kill an enemy and cut off the left ear for proof of victory

A legendary sword from the Han Dynasty famous for being sharp enough to cut down a horse; usually refers to a ceremonial or high-quality weapon used to execute corrupt officials.

To supervise the execution of a criminal, usually by decapitation in a historical context.