destroy something decayed easily and swiftly; crush weak opposition
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to crush something rotten effortlessly; to overpower weak, decaying forces with ease
formalUsed to describe a powerful force easily overwhelming a weak, corrupt, or decadent opponent. Often has a commendatory tone when referring to righteous forces defeating evil or outdated systems.
Gé革
mìng命
jūn军
yǐ以
cuī摧
kū枯
lā拉
xiǔ朽
zhī之
shì势
，
xùn迅
sù速
tuī推
fān翻
le了
jiù旧
zhèng政
quán权
。
The revolutionary army swiftly overthrew the old regime with an overwhelming, crushing force.
Zhè这
chǎng场
gǎi改
gé革
rú如
cuī摧
kū枯
lā拉
xiǔ朽
，
chè彻
dǐ底
qīng清
chú除
le了
tǐ体
zhì制
nèi内
de的
wán顽
jí疾
。
This reform, like crushing rotten wood, thoroughly eradicated the stubborn ills within the system.
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Xīn新
jì技
shù术
de的
làng浪
cháo潮
duì对
chuán传
tǒng统
háng行
yè业
zào造
chéng成
le了
cuī摧
kū枯
lā拉
xiǔ朽
bān般
de的
chōng冲
jī击
。
The wave of new technology has had a devastating, sweeping impact on traditional industries.