Definition
打草惊蛇 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning to inadvertently alert an opponent by acting carelessly. Literally 'beat the grass and startle the snake,' it originates from a Tang dynasty story about a magistrate who scared off a criminal by making noise. You use it when a premature action tips off the other side and ruins your plan. Less commonly, it can mean punishing someone as a warning to others, but the first sense is more typical.
id.
to inadvertently alert an enemy or opponent (by acting prematurely)to punish someone as a warning to others
Examples
- ，打草惊蛇。Jǐngfāng juédìng zànshí bù xíngdòng, yǐmiǎn dá.The police decided not to act for now, so as not to alert the suspects prematurely.
- ，打草惊蛇，。Tā zhè cì yánlì chǔfèn le yí gè wéiguī yuángōng, mùdì shì dá, jǐngshì qítā rén.He severely punished one violator this time, aiming to serve as a warning to others.
- 打草惊蛇，。Zài diàochá jiēduàn qiānwàn bù néng dá, fǒuzé zuìfàn huì huǐmiè zhèngjù.During the investigation, you must not alert the criminal; otherwise they will destroy the evidence.
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