兴师问罪 xīng shī wèn zuì Launch a military campaign to demand an accounting

Explanation

指兴兵讨伐，向对方问罪。也指责问对方的罪过。

To launch a military campaign to demand an accounting from the other party. Also, to hold someone accountable for his or her faults.

Origin Story

话说西夏元昊称帝后，大肆模仿中原礼制，还强令全国改用蕃书、胡礼。宋朝皇帝得知此事，勃然大怒，认为元昊这是公然挑战大宋的权威，于是下令兴师问罪，讨伐西夏。大军浩浩荡荡开赴边关，战火连绵，最终以西夏失败告终，元昊也为此付出代价。这场战争，既是军事上的较量，也是文化和政治的冲突，深刻地影响了宋夏两国关系的走向。

huà shuō xī xià yuán hào chēng dì hòu, dà sì mófǎng zhōngyuán lǐzhì, hái qiáng lìng quánguó gǎi yòng fān shū, hú lǐ. sòng cháo huángdì dé zhī cǐ shì, bó rán dà nù, rèn wéi yuán hào zhè shì gōng rán tiǎozhàn dà sòng de quánwēi, yú shì xià lìng xīng shī wèn zuì, tǎofá xī xià. dàjūn hào hào dàng dàng kāi fù biān guān, zhànhuǒ liánmián, zhōng yú yǐ xī xià shībài gào zhōng, yuán hào yě wèi cǐ fùchū dài jià. zhè chǎng zhànzhēng, jì shì jūnshì shàng de jiào liàng, yě shì wénhuà hé zhèngzhì de chōngtú, shēnkè de yǐngxiǎng le sòng xià liǎng guó guānxi de zǒuxiàng.

It is said that after the ruler of Xi Xia, Yuan Hao, assumed the imperial title, he extensively imitated the rituals of Central China and forced the entire country to use Fan script and rituals. The Song emperor was furious at this, seeing Yuan Hao's actions as an open challenge to the Song Dynasty's authority. He thus ordered a military campaign to punish Yuan Hao and attack Xi Xia. The massive army marched to the border, the war raged, and ultimately ended in the defeat of Xi Xia. Yuan Hao paid the price for this. This war was not only a military confrontation but also a conflict of culture and politics, profoundly affecting the relationship between Song and Xi Xia.

Usage

常用作谓语、定语；多用于正式场合，表达严肃的谴责。

cháng yòng zuò wèi yǔ, dìng yǔ; duō yòng yú zhèngshì chǎng hé, biǎodá yánsù de qiǎndzé

Commonly used as a predicate or attributive; mostly used in formal occasions to express serious condemnation.

Examples

• 面对错误，我们应该勇于承担责任，而不是兴师问罪。

  miàn duì cuòwù, wǒmen yīnggāi yǒng yú chéngdān zérèn, ér bùshì xīng shī wèn zuì

  When faced with mistakes, we should take responsibility bravely, instead of making a big fuss.

• 公司业绩下滑，老板兴师问罪，责问相关部门负责人。

  gōngsī yèjì xiàhuá, lǎobǎn xīng shī wèn zuì, zéwèn xiāngguān bùmén fùzé rén

  The company's performance declined, and the boss made a scene, questioning the heads of the relevant departments.

• 他因粗心大意犯错，领导兴师问罪，让他深刻反省。

  tā yīn cūxīn dàyì fàn cuò, lǐngdǎo xīng shī wèn zuì, ràng tā shēnkè fǎnxǐng

  He made a mistake due to carelessness; the leader made a scene, making him reflect deeply.

Related Idioms

• 讨伐

• 声讨

• 问罪

Opposite Idioms

• 负荆请罪

• 赔礼道歉