明火持杖 mínghuǒchízhàng 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)持 chí verbadjective to hold to hold; to grasp; to take in hand杖 zhàng stick-like object (bound form) general term for a stick, rod, or club-like tool