# 雷厉风行

léi lì fēng xíng

Act swiftly and decisively

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be forceful as thunder and swift as wind

**Traditional Chinese:** 雷厲風行

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Praise prompt, determined execution.

Speed should not replace consultation or care.

## Understanding the expression

Thunder suggests force, and wind suggests rapid movement. Together they describe a style of action that moves quickly from decision to execution. The expression commonly praises efficient responses, especially when delay would worsen a problem. It does not guarantee that the decision is correct. A person can act promptly after consulting the right evidence, while rushing without understanding may merely create new trouble. The positive use should show effective rather than arbitrary speed.

## Examples

她雷厉风行地安排了救援。

### Traditional Chinese

她雷厲風行地安排了救援。

tā léi lì fēng xíng dì ān pái le jiù yuán 。

She swiftly organized the rescue.

新主管做事雷厉风行。

### Traditional Chinese

新主管做事雷厲風行。

xīn zhǔ guǎn zuò shì léi lì fēng xíng 。

The new supervisor acts decisively and quickly.

收到投诉后，他们雷厉风行地整改。

### Traditional Chinese

收到投訴後，他們雷厲風行地整改。

shōu dào tóu sù hòu ， tā men léi lì fēng xíng dì zhěng gǎi 。

They promptly made corrections after the complaint.

雷厉风行也要尊重程序。

### Traditional Chinese

雷厲風行也要尊重程序。

léi lì fēng xíng yě yào zūn zhòng chéng xù 。

Decisive speed must still respect proper procedures.

## 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=%E9%9B%B7%E5%8E%B2%E9%A2%A8%E8%A1%8C)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=603&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [量力而行 liàng lì ér xíng Act within your abilities ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/liang-li-er-xing)

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