Definition
矫枉过正 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to overcorrect' — you try to fix a problem but go too far, creating a new problem on the opposite side. The literal image is straightening a bent rod past the point of straightness. Use it when someone's remedy is more extreme than the original issue.
f.e.
to overcorrectto go too far in trying to fix a problem
Examples
- ,矫枉过正,。Tā wèile gǎidiào huài xíguàn, fǎn'ér jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng, biàn de tài yángé le.He tried to break a bad habit but overcorrected and became too strict.
- 矫枉过正,。Gǎigé bùnéng jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng, fǒuzé huì dài lái xīn de wèntí.Reforms must not overcorrect, or they'll bring new problems.
- ,矫枉过正。Lǎoshī pīpíng xuéshēng shí yào zhùyì fèncùn, bìmiǎn jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng.When criticizing students, teachers should be careful not to overcorrect.
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