# 矫枉过正

jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng

Overcorrect a problem

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Straighten a bend beyond the proper point

**Traditional Chinese:** 矯枉過正

**Register:** Cautionary · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Criticize a remedy taken too far.

The original problem may still need correction.

## Understanding the expression

A bent object needs straightening, but too much force bends it in the opposite direction. The expression describes a response that goes beyond fixing the original fault and creates a new imbalance. Modern use appears in rules, criticism, education, and personal habits. It does not deny that change was needed. The useful question is where the appropriate limit lies and whether the remedy remains proportionate to the actual problem.

## Examples

限制太多，恐怕矫枉过正。

### Traditional Chinese

限制太多，恐怕矯枉過正。

xiàn zhì tài duō ， kǒng pà jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng 。

So many restrictions may overcorrect the problem.

从放任到全禁，这是矫枉过正。

### Traditional Chinese

從放任到全禁，這是矯枉過正。

cóng fàng rèn dào quán jìn ， zhè shì jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng 。

Moving from no limits to a total ban overcorrects.

她减糖却不吃饭，有些矫枉过正。

### Traditional Chinese

她減糖卻不吃飯，有些矯枉過正。

tā jiǎn táng què bù chī fàn ， yǒu xiē jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng 。

Skipping meals to reduce sugar goes too far.

新规则要防止矫枉过正。

### Traditional Chinese

新規則要防止矯枉過正。

xīn guī zé yào fáng zhǐ jiǎo wǎng guò zhèng 。

The new rules should avoid overcorrecting.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%9F%AF%E6%9E%89%E9%81%8E%E6%AD%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=163&webMd=1&la=0)

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