Chinese

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!behead; chop

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!present a memorial |- !trad. (先斬後奏) | 先 | 斬 | 後 | 奏 |- !simp. (先斩后奏) | 先 | 斩 | 后 | 奏 |- !Literally: “behead first, report [to the emperor] later”. |}

Idiom

先斬後奏

1. to act first and report later; to act first and seek permission therefor later
   • 皇上御賜龍虎狗三口鍘刀，本府有先斬後奏之權。如何審不得你？ [MSC, trad.]
     皇上御赐龙虎狗三口铡刀，本府有先斩后奏之权。如何审不得你？ [MSC, simp.]
     From: Justice Bao

     Huángshàng yùcì lóng hǔ gǒu sān kǒu zhádāo, běnfǔ yǒu xiānzhǎnhòuzòu zhī quán. Rúhé shěn bùdé nǐ? [Pinyin]

     His Majesty granted me these three guillotines of canine, tiger, and dragon, by which I am authorised to kill first, report later. How can't I put you on trial?