先斩后奏

先斬後奏

xiānzhǎn-hòuzòu

idiom #46,479

Meanings

1 to act first and report later
2 to present a superior with a fait accompli
3 lit. execute first, report to the emperor afterwards

Characters

execute / behead

report to the emperor

Examples

他这次先斩后奏，没跟领导商量就签了合同。

Tā zhècì xiānzhǎnhòuzòu, méi gēn lǐngdǎo shāngliang jiù qiān le hétóng.

This time he acted first and reported later — signed the contract without consulting his boss.

有时候先斩后奏比走流程更有效。

Yǒushíhou xiānzhǎnhòuzòu bǐ zǒu liúchéng gèng yǒuxiào.

Sometimes it's more effective to act first and report later than go through the process.

这种大事不能先斩后奏。

Zhèzhǒng dàshì bùnéng xiānzhǎnhòuzòu.

For matters this serious, you can't just act unilaterally and report afterwards.

Tips

history

Originally a privilege granted to trusted generals or magistrates: execute (斩) a criminal first, then submit a memorial (奏) to the emperor. Attested in the 《汉书》 (regarding Shentu Jia) and later dramas.

usage

Can be positive ('decisive action') or negative ('bypassing proper channels') depending on context.

Stroke Order

先 xiān

斩 zhǎn

后 hòu

奏 zòu