快刀断乱麻 kuài dāo duàn luàn má

lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (idiom); decisive action in a complex situation

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (idiom); decisive action in a complex situation
  2. 2. cutting the Gordian knot

Characters

Character Meaning
快 kuài HSK 2
quick; rapid; soon
刀 dāo HSK 4
knife; blade; classifier for knife cuts or stabs
断 duàn HSK 4
to cut off; to break; to snap
乱 luàn HSK 4
in confusion or disorder; disorder; to mix up
麻 má HSK 4
to feel numb; hemp; sesame