📖 Meaning
To catch or wipe out everyone or everything in a single sweep, leaving nothing behind. The metaphor comes from pulling in a fishing net to capture all the fish at once. It is commonly used for eliminating a group of criminals, enemies, or problems thoroughly and completely.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Song dynasty work 'Dongxuan Bilu' (东轩笔录) by Wei Tai, Volume 4. In the original passage, someone says '聊为相公一网打尽,' meaning 'let me catch them all in one net for you, my lord.' The expression vividly draws on the image of a fisherman casting a net that ensnares every fish without exception. Over time it became a standard metaphor for rounding up an entire group of wrongdoers or thoroughly eliminating a threat.
💡 Example Usage
警方经过缜密侦查，终于将这个犯罪团伙一网打尽。
After thorough investigation, the police finally wiped out the entire criminal gang in one fell swoop.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一网打尽
- Pinyin: yī wǎng dǎ jìn
- Literal Translation: one, net, strike, exhaust
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4