monolithic bloc; solid undivided whole
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
a monolithic bloc; a solid, undivided whole (metaphorically as hard to split as an iron plate)
Often used in negative constructions (不是铁板一块) to indicate that a group or organization is not as unified as it appears. Frequently employed in political, organizational, or military contexts to describe unity or lack thereof.
Tā他
men们
bù不
shì是
tiě铁
bǎn板
yī一
kuài块
，
nèi内
bù部
yǒu有
máo矛
dùn盾
，
yǒu有
fēn分
qí歧
。
They are not a monolithic bloc; internally there are contradictions and differences.
Zhè这
ge个
lián联
méng盟
kàn看
sì似
tiě铁
bǎn板
yī一
kuài块
，
shí实
jì际
shang上
gè各
chéng成
yuán员
guó国
dōu都
yǒu有
zì自
jǐ己
de的
xiǎo小
suàn算
pan盘
。
This alliance appears to be a monolithic bloc, but in reality each member state has its own agenda.
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Dí敌
rén人
suī虽
rán然
qiáng强
dà大
，
dàn但
bù不
shì是
tiě铁
bǎn板
yī一
kuài块
，
wǒ我
men们
kě可
yǐ以
fēn分
huà化
wǎ瓦
jiě解
tā他
men们
。
Though the enemy is strong, they are not a monolithic bloc; we can divide and disintegrate them.
Bù不
yào要
yǐ以
wéi为
rèn任
hé何
zhèng政
dǎng党
dōu都
shì是
tiě铁
bǎn板
yī一
kuài块
，
nèi内
bù部
zǒng总
huì会
yǒu有
bù不
tóng同
shēng声
yīn音
。
Don't assume that any political party is a monolithic bloc; there will always be dissenting voices internally.