激浊扬清

激濁揚清
jīzhuó-yángqīng
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to flush out the muddy and let the clear water rise
  2. 2 to drive out evil and promote good; to root out corruption

Examples

HSK 7-9
Méitǐ yīngdāng jīzhuó-yángqīng, hóngyáng zhèngqì.
The media should expose what is foul and uphold what is right, championing integrity.
HSK 7-9
Zhè chǎng fǎnfǔ yùndòng qǐdào le jīzhuó-yángqīng de zuòyòng.
This anti-corruption campaign played a role in driving out vice and promoting virtue.

Tips

history
From 《尸子·君治》 (pre-Qin): 扬清激浊荡去滓秽义也 - 'to lift the clear and stir up the muddy, washing away the dregs, is righteousness.' The metaphor takes filtration as the model for moral and political reform.
register
Strongly formal, common in editorials and Party discourse about anti-corruption, journalism, and moral leadership. Avoid in casual speech.

Stroke Order

zhuó
yáng
qīng