Lǎoshī de pīpíng yóurú dāngtóu yī bàng, ràng tā fānrán xǐngwù.
The teacher's criticism was like a blow to the head, making him suddenly come to his senses.
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This idiom originates from Zen Buddhist tradition, where a master would sometimes strike a student with a staff (棒) to induce sudden enlightenment (顿悟). It now describes any shocking experience that brings sudden clarity.
