| 先斩后奏 |
xiān zhǎn hòu zòu |
lit. first execute the criminal, then report it to the emperor (idiom) / fig. to take some drastic action without the prior approval of higher authorities |
| 先 |
xiān |
beforehand; first; earlier / at first; originally / for the time being; for now / (prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself) |
| 斩 |
zhǎn |
to behead (as form of capital punishment) / to chop |
| 后 |
Hòu |
surname Hou |
| 后 |
hòu |
empress / queen / (archaic) monarch / ruler |
| 后 |
hòu |
back / behind / rear / afterwards / after / later / post- |
| 奏 |
zòu |
to play music / to achieve / to present a memorial to the emperor (old) |