先斩后奏
Traditional form:
先斬後奏
Pinyin (reading):
xiānzhǎnhòuzòu
Definitions:
- 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
Characters:
- 先 - first, former, previous
- 斩 - to chop, to cut, to sever; to behead
- 后 - after; behind, rear; descendants
- 奏 - to play; to memorialize; to report
Traditional characters: