settle all by settling the main; clean break
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
once the crux of the matter is settled, all other problems are solved too; to settle once and for all
Often used to suggest a radical solution where resolving the central issue eliminates all related problems. Can carry a tone of resignation or finality. In some contexts, it may suggest a drastic 'end to everything' (e.g., suicide or cutting all ties), though this is not the primary meaning.
Zhǐ只
yào要
bǎ把
zhǔ主
yào要
máo矛
dùn盾
jiě解
jué决
le了
，
qí其
tā他
wèn问
tí题
jiù就
néng能
yī一
liǎo了
bǎi百
liǎo了
。
Once the principal contradiction is resolved, all other problems will be settled as well.
Tā他
yǐ以
wéi为
lí离
kāi开
zhè这
gè个
chéng城
shì市
jiù就
néng能
yī一
liǎo了
bǎi百
liǎo了
，
dàn但
wèn问
tí题
yī依
rán然
cún存
zài在
。
He thought leaving this city would solve everything once and for all, but the problems still remained.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
bù不
néng能
jiǎn简
dān单
chǔ处
lǐ理
，
bù不
shì是
yī一
liǎo了
bǎi百
liǎo了
nà那
me么
qīng轻
sōng松
。
This matter cannot be handled simply; it's not as easy as making a clean break.
Tā他
jìng竟
xiǎng想
yǐ以
sǐ死
liǎo了
zhī之
，
yǐ以
wéi为
zhè这
yàng样
jiù就
néng能
yī一
liǎo了
bǎi百
liǎo了
。
He actually thought of ending his life, believing this would settle everything once and for all.