口诛笔伐

口誅筆伐

kǒuzhūbǐfá

idiom #59,352

Meanings

1 to condemn in speech and in writing
2 to denounce by word and pen
3 to attack verbally and in print

Characters

to punish; to condemn

to attack; to denounce

Examples

他的丑行遭到了媒体的口诛笔伐。

Tā de chǒuxíng zāodào le méitǐ de kǒuzhūbǐfá.

His scandalous behavior was denounced in word and print by the media.

这种恶劣行为受到了社会各界的口诛笔伐。

Zhè zhǒng èliè xíngwéi shòudào le shèhuì gèjiè de kǒuzhūbǐfá.

This disgraceful behavior was condemned from all sectors of society, in speech and writing alike.

Tips

history

Recorded in Chen Liang's Song-dynasty 《畏羞于君子》: '此丈夫所当履其道，免笔诛口伐于荜门闺窦之间。' Chen Liang argues that a true gentleman should act rightly so as to avoid being denounced in speech and writing.

usage

Heavy rhetorical weight — used for public denunciation of serious wrongdoing (corruption, atrocities, scandals). Often as passive object: 受到...的口诛笔伐 / 遭到...的口诛笔伐.

Stroke Order

口 kǒu

诛 zhū

笔 bǐ

伐 fá