杀一儆百 is formed by sequentially combining four characters: 杀 (kill), 一 (one), 儆 (warn), and 百 (hundred), where the phrase literally means "kill one to warn a hundred". The structure pairs "杀一" (action on a single target) with "儆百" (result affecting many), using the numerical contrast between one and hundred to directly convey the concept of using a single punishment as a deterrent for a larger group.