dà大bigdāo刀knifekuò阔widefǔ斧axe
Drastic and decisive; bold and resolute.
Literal meaning
big (大) — knife (刀) — wide (阔) — axe (斧)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing bold and decisive actions, like wielding a large knife and axe.
Examples
Wèi为le了tí提gāo高xiào效lǜ率，gōng公sī司jìn进xíng行le了dà大dāo刀kuò阔fǔ斧de的gǎi改gé革。
In order to improve efficiency, the company carried out drastic reforms.
Xīn新zhèng政fǔ府shàng上rèn任hòu后，dà大dāo刀kuò阔fǔ斧de地tuī推xíng行xīn新zhèng政cè策。
After taking office, the new government boldly implemented new policies.
Usage & nuances
Implies a large scale and significant impact.
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