断章取义 duànzhāng-qǔyì to quote out of context
(idiom) to quote out of context
How to remember 断章取义: 断 sever + 章 chapter + 取 acquire + 义 right conduct = to quote out of context.
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How it is used
- Idiom: to quote out of context - take a fragment and twist its meaning: 你这是断章取义 (nǐ zhè shì duànzhāng-qǔyì) you're taking it out of context.
- Always critical, accusing someone of distorting the original meaning by selective quoting.