先
斩
后
奏

Word Definition - 先斩后奏

xiān zhǎn hòu zòu lit. first execute the criminal, then report it to the emperor (idiom); fig. to take some drastic action without the prior approval of higher authorities

Individual Character Details

先 xiān
斩 zhǎn
后 hòu, hòu, hòu
奏 zòu