一刀両断

Reading

Kana: いっとうりょうだん

Romaji: ittouryōdan

Definition

noun

1

cutting in two with a single stroke; taking decisive (drastic) measure; cutting the (Gordian) knot

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

一

Readings: イチ、 イツ、 ひと-、 ひと.つ

Meanings: one, one radical (no.1)

刀

Readings: トウ、 かたな、 そり

Meanings: sword, saber, knife

両

Readings: リョウ、 てる、 ふたつ

Meanings: both, old Japanese coin, counter for carriages (e.g., in a train), two

断

Readings: ダン、 た.つ、 ことわ.る、 さだ.める

Meanings: severance, decline, refuse, apologize, warn, dismiss, prohibit, decision, judgement, cutting

Example Sentence

もう少(すこ)しやさしく意見(いけん)してあげたらどうなの。一刀両断(いっとうりょうだん)のもと切(き)り捨(す)てられた彼(かれ)の立場(たちば)も考(かんが)えてよ。

➥Why don't you try expressing your opinion a little more gently? Think about how he feels getting told flatly that he's being cut loose.