DICTIONARY · CC-CEDICT
先斬後奏
简 先斩后奏 · 繁 先斬後奏Mandarin · pinyin xiān zhǎn hòu zòu
Meanings
- (lit.) execute sb first, then report to the emperor (idiom)
- (fig.) to act first and report later; to take action without prior approval
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Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.
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Mandarin tones
1–3–4–4 · xian1 zhan3 hou4 zou4
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
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Counts describe dictionary records, not word frequency or semantic similarity. Source identities stay separate.Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense · 1 Cantonese reading
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
sin1 zaam2 hau6 zau3
Cantonese word readings for 先斬後奏. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
phrase
- (idiomatic) to act first and report later; to act first and seek permission therefor later
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack