Here's an advanced Chinese idiom which makes sense when you know its constituent parts.

"Bold and sweeping" (大刀阔斧 dà dāo kuò fǔ)

Break it down literally:

• "Big knife" (大刀)

• "Broad axe" (阔斧)

The phrase comes from Water Margin (水浒传), one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, written by Shi Nai'an (施耐庵) in the 14th century.

It's an epic tale of outlaws, rebellion, and battle — and the idiom appears twice in the original text, both times describing generals charging into combat with overwhelming force:

"Wielding great knives and broad axes, they charged straight for Qingfeng Village."

"大刀阔斧，径奔清风寨来"

In modern Chinese it's a standard expression in business and policy Chinese for any drastic, decisive action.

Such as restructuring, reform, cuts.

Use it for: Corporate shake-ups, policy overhauls, or any reform that doesn't do things by halves.

Example:

Such sweeping curriculum reform instantly sparked public debate.

如此大刀阔斧的专业调整，瞬间引发舆论热议。