📖 Meaning
To purge the world of evil and bring about social order. It describes someone with lofty ambition to cleanse society of corrupt forces and establish stability. The phrase conveys a sense of grand resolve to take responsibility for the welfare of the entire world rather than petty personal concerns.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Book of Later Han (《后汉书·陈蕃传》), recording the story of Chen Fan (陈蕃) of the Eastern Han dynasty. As a youth, Chen Fan kept his own room messy and unkempt. When his father's friend visited and asked why he did not tidy his room, Chen Fan replied: 'When a great man lives in the world, he should sweep the world clean—how could he busy himself with one room?' The story later became a symbol of noble ambition to eliminate evil and stabilize society.
💡 Example Usage
他以扫除天下为己任，立志肃清朝中奸佞。
He took it as his mission to purge the world of evil, resolving to rid the court of corrupt officials.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 扫除天下
- Pinyin: sǎo chú tiān xià
- Literal Translation: sweep, remove, heaven, under
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4