📖 Meaning
To sweep out the enemy's den and plow over their courtyard. It is a metaphor for thoroughly destroying and eliminating an enemy, leaving no trace of their power behind. The phrase conveys total, decisive military annihilation.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom derives from ancient Chinese military terminology, where it vividly described the complete razing of an enemy's stronghold. The image is of invading hostile territory, sweeping clean their lairs and caves, and plowing over their courtyards so thoroughly that nothing remains. Historically it was used to characterize campaigns of total extermination against threats such as northern nomadic tribes. The expression embodies the classical strategic ideal of eliminating an enemy root and branch rather than merely defeating them in battle.
💡 Example Usage
我军以雷霆之势扫穴犁庭，将敌军据点彻底摧毁。
Our army struck like thunderbolts, sweeping through and utterly destroying the enemy stronghold.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 扫穴犁庭
- Pinyin: sǎo xué lí tíng
- Literal Translation: sweep the lair, plow the courtyard
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4