shā​zhì​jiào​zǐ

to kill a pig to teach a child

Senses

杀彘教子/ 殺彘教子 shā​zhì​jiào​zǐ to kill a pig to teach a child

(idiom) parents must teach by example; refers to a story where the philosopher 曾子 zēng​zǐ killed a pig after his wife had jokingly promised it to their son, showing that parents should never lie to their children.

References

No references for this word.