操斧伐柯 cāo fǔ fá kē

DEFINITIONS

  1. (cf Book of Songs) How to fashion an ax handle? You need an ax
  2. fig. to follow a principle
  3. fig. to act as matchmaker

CHARACTERS

操 cāo
HSK 5
conduct, run, control, manage
斧 fǔ axe, hatchet; chop, hew
伐 fá
HSK 6
cut down, subjugate, attack
柯 kē axe-handle; stalk, bough; surname