Definition
青红皂白 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'green, red, black, white' — a set of contrasting colors. It's almost always used in the negative phrase 不分青红皂白, meaning 'without distinguishing right from wrong' or 'without checking the facts'. You use it when someone judges or acts hastily, ignoring the nuances of a situation. The idiom is fixed; you never split it or use it in the affirmative.
id.
right and wrongthe facts of a matter (used in the phrase 不分青红皂白)
Examples
- ，青红皂白。Tā gēnběn bú wèn yuányīn, bù fēn qīng gōng jiù bǎ wǒ pīpíng le yí dùn.He didn't even ask the reason and criticized me without checking the facts.
- ，青红皂白。Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, chǔlǐ wèntí bù néng bù fēn qīng gōng.As a leader, you can't handle problems without distinguishing right from wrong.
- ，青红皂白。Tā tīng le biérén de yí miàn zhī cí, bù fēn qīng gōng jiù bǎ zérèn tuī gěi le wǒ.He listened to one side of the story and shifted the blame to me without checking the facts.
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