斩钉截铁 zhǎndīng-jiétiě literally to chop the nail and slice the iron
literally to chop the nail and slice the iron (idiom); figuratively resolute and decisive; unhesitating; categorical
How to remember 斩钉截铁: 斩 to chop + 钉 nail + 截 to cut off + 铁 iron = literally to chop the nail and slice the iron.
Characters
How it is used
- Idiom, literally 'chop nails, cut iron' - resolute and unhesitating, especially in how one speaks: 他斩钉截铁地说 (tā zhǎndīng-jiétiě de shuō) he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
- Describes a flatly decisive tone or manner. Vivid and common in narration.
Example sentences
- 我斩钉截铁地拒绝了。 Wǒ zhǎndīngjiétiě de jùjué le.I flatly refused.