📖 Meaning
To cleanse away corruption and eliminate old vices or bad habits. It describes thoroughly purging evil practices to restore order and purity, often in the context of institutional or moral reform.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Book of Song' (宋书·礼志一), a history of the Liu Song dynasty compiled during the Southern Dynasties. In the passage, an address is made to a prince endowed with extraordinary talent who faces a time of national peril, urging him to employ rites, music, and military campaigns to achieve a restoration (中兴). The words exhort him to wash away filth and sweep away flaws (涤秽荡瑕), thereby bringing order out of chaos (拨乱反正). It embodies the political ideal of moral and institutional renewal during times of crisis.
💡 Example Usage
新官上任，决心涤秽荡瑕，整顿吏治。
The newly appointed official took office resolved to root out corruption and reform the administration.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 涤秽荡瑕
- Pinyin: dí huì dàng xiá
- Literal Translation: wash away filth, sweep away flaws
- Category: Recovery
- Characters: 4