Japanese

きゅうざんばしょく
Meaning: crying and beheading Ma Su; punishing a favorite subordinate for the greater good
Part of Speech: Noun, Four-character idiom

Listen to pronunciation

Handwriting

泣
斬
馬
謖

Example

To maintain the discipline of the organization, he made the decision to 'behead Ma Su' (punish a trusted person).

Usage Notes

Based on a story from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms where Zhuge Liang executed his trusted subordinate Ma Su for failing a mission. Means to uphold rules even if it is painful.

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