saat3 jat1 ging2 baak3殺一儆百杀一儆百

Jyutpingsaat3 jat1 ging2 baak3

Yalesaat yāt gíng baak

動詞

Definition

To execute or severely punish one person as a warning to others, so they will not repeat the mistake.

neutralworkpeople

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong, often cold tone of authority and is typically used in professional or disciplinary contexts. It implies a calculated move where the sacrifice of one individual is intended to maintain order or discipline among a larger group. It is rarely used in casual or friendly settings because of its harsh, punitive connotation.

Examples

lou5老baan2闆caau2炒zo2咗go3個jyun4員gung1工saat3殺jat1一ging2儆baak3百，haak3嚇dou3到daai6大gaa1家m4唔gam2敢zoi3再ci4遲dou3到。

The boss fired an employee as a warning to everyone, scaring them so they wouldn't dare be late again.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想saat3殺jat1一ging2儆baak3百，so2所ji5以sin1先jiu3要fat6罰dak1得gam3咁cung4重aa4呀？

Are you trying to make an example out of someone, which is why you are punishing them so severely?

Common phrases

saat3殺jat1一ging2儆baak3百ge3嘅sau2手dyun6段

a method of making an example of someone

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for punishment, but it specifically requires the element of using one person's misfortune to deter others. It cannot be used if the punishment is simply for the sake of justice or personal retribution.