Definition
A formal four-character idiom (成語) meaning to make an example of someone to warn others not to follow the same bad behavior. It's often used in legal, disciplinary, or public reprimand contexts — the focus is on deterrence through punishment.
v
to make an example of somebody to warn others(as a) warning to all
Examples
- ，以儆效尤。Gōngsī juédìng yánlì chǔfá tā, yǐ jǐng xiào yóu.The company decided to punish him severely as a warning to others.
- ，以儆效尤。Fǎyuàn duì zhè míng guānyuán cóngzhòng pànxíng, yǐ jǐng xiào yóu.The court gave the official a heavy sentence to serve as a deterrent.
- ，以儆效尤。Xuéxiào tōngbào pīpíng le zuòbì de xuéshēng, yǐ jǐng xiào yóu.The school publicly criticized the cheating students to warn others.
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