The Chinese word **扼杀 (èshā)** is a compound verb formed by combining two characters with related violent actions: **扼 (è)**, meaning "to strangle" or "to clutch tightly (as if by the throat)," and **杀 (shā)**, meaning "to kill" or "to slaughter." Together, they create a powerful metaphorical term that literally means "to strangle to death," but is almost exclusively used figuratively to describe the act of **suppressing, stifling, or crushing something abstract** (such as an idea, talent, opportunity, or trend) in its early stages, preventing its growth or development as effectively as strangulation prevents life.