📖 Meaning
To show absolutely no leniency or mercy whatsoever; not a single person among a hundred is spared. It describes an extremely harsh and unforgiving approach to punishment or law enforcement, where no exceptions are made under any circumstances.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'New Book of Tang' (《新唐书》), in the chapter 'Biographies of Cruel Officials: Lai Junchen' (《酷吏传·来俊臣》). Lai Junchen was a notorious secret police official during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty. After gaining the empress's trust, he was ordered to set up a special prison at Lijing Gate (丽景门) in the capital. He was granted full authority to investigate and interrogate political suspects, and it was recorded that he showed no leniency to anyone — '百不一贷' — meaning not one person in a hundred was ever pardoned or spared.
💡 Example Usage
这位官员执法时百不一贷，从不宽恕任何人。
This official, when enforcing the law, showed no leniency whatsoever and never pardoned anyone.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 百不一贷
- Pinyin: bǎi bù yī dài
- Literal Translation: hundred, not, one, pardon
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4