大打出手
dà dǎ chū shǒu
Physical altercation
Refers to engaging in a violent physical fight or brawl. It describes people who resort to blows and physical aggression, often unexpectedly or over a minor issue.
What does 大打出手 (dà dǎ chū shǒu) mean?
大打出手 (dà dǎ chū shǒu) means "physical altercation" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "strike out hands with great force."
Character by character
- 大 dà great, big
- 打 dǎ hit, strike
- 出 chū exit, out
- 手 shǒu hand
When to use it
Typically used to describe situations where individuals, sometimes unexpectedly, resort to physical violence rather than resolving conflict verbally. It implies a loss of control and an aggressive physical confrontation.
Example
他们原本是好朋友，想不到竟为了一件小事而大打出手。
Tāmen yuánběn shì hǎo péngyou, xiǎngbúdào jìngwèi le yíjiàn xiǎoshì ér dà dǎ chū shǒu.
They were originally good friends, so I never expected them to get into a physical fight over a trivial issue.
Pro tip: Focuses specifically on actual physical fighting, not just strong verbal arguments or heated discussions. It always implies the exchange of blows or physical aggression.
Related idioms
出生入死 · Risking life and limb粗心大意 · Carelessness and negligence大名鼎鼎 · Widespread fame
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