daai6 dou1 fut3 fu2大刀闊斧大刀阔斧
Jyutpingdaai6 dou1 fut3 fu2
Yaledaaih dōu fut fú
Definition
Boldly and decisively; making drastic and sweeping changes.
neutralworkdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of urgency and significant impact, typically used in professional or organizational contexts. It implies a departure from the status quo through drastic, often painful, but necessary measures. While it can apply to personal life, it is most frequently heard when discussing management, policy changes, or structural overhauls.
Examples
He made bold and decisive reforms to the department as soon as he took office.
This plan needs to be overhauled boldly and decisively to work.
Related words
Common phrases
to carry out bold reforms
to act decisively
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe physical actions or literal cutting, but it is strictly metaphorical. It is not used for everyday tasks like cutting vegetables or trimming hair.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
