一概而论 yígài’érlùn to lump different matters together (idiom)
How to remember 一概而论: 一 one + 概 generally + 而 and yet + 论 discuss = to lump different matters together (idiom).
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How it is used
- 'To treat different things as if all the same, lump together' - almost always negated - 不能一概而论 (bùnéng yígài'érlùn) you can't generalize / paint them all with one brush.
- The go-to phrase for warning against oversimplified blanket judgments; the fixed frame is 不能/不可 + 一概而论.
- Register neutral-to-formal; signals nuance ('it depends, cases differ').