明火执杖 mínghuǒzhízhàng to do evil openly Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 明火 mínghuǒ to carry torches to carry lighted torches (especially during a robbery)执 執 zhí to hold to hold in the hand; to grasp; to take hold of杖 zhàng stick-like object (bound form) general term for a stick, rod, or club-like tool