# 斩钉截铁

zhǎn dīng jié tiě

Speak or act decisively without hesitation

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Cut nails and slice iron

**Traditional Chinese:** 斬釘截鐵

**Register:** Standard · expressive

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

## When to use it

Describe a firm answer, refusal, or commitment.

Certainty of tone is not proof of correctness.

## Understanding the expression

Cutting through hard material provides an image of unmistakable decisiveness. The expression often modifies speech: a person gives an answer that leaves no doubt about their position. It can also describe a firm action. Such clarity may be valuable when boundaries or urgent choices matter, but a categorical tone does not establish factual truth. Someone can speak decisively and still need to revise a claim when new evidence appears.

## Examples

她斩钉截铁地说不。

### Traditional Chinese

她斬釘截鐵地說不。

tā zhǎn dīng jié tiě dì shuō bù 。

She said no unequivocally.

他斩钉截铁地拒绝作弊。

### Traditional Chinese

他斬釘截鐵地拒絕作弊。

tā zhǎn dīng jié tiě dì jù jué zuò bì 。

He firmly refused to cheat.

经理斩钉截铁地保证退款。

### Traditional Chinese

經理斬釘截鐵地保證退款。

jīng lǐ zhǎn dīng jié tiě dì bǎo zhèng tuì kuǎn 。

The manager decisively guaranteed a refund.

回答虽斩钉截铁，仍要核实。

### Traditional Chinese

回答雖斬釘截鐵，仍要核實。

huí dá suī zhǎn dīng jié tiě ， réng yào hé shí 。

Although the answer was categorical, it still needs verification.

## 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=%E6%96%AC%E9%87%98%E6%88%AA%E9%90%B5)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=909&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [瞻前顾后 zhān qián gù hòu Weigh consequences, sometimes too hesitantly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhan-qian-gu-hou)

- [朝秦暮楚 zhāo qín mù chǔ Switch loyalties or choices opportunistically ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhao-qin-mu-chu)

- [朝三暮四 zhāo sān mù sì Keep changing one's mind or commitments ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhao-san-mu-si)

- [正中下怀 zhèng zhòng xià huái Be exactly what one secretly or especially wants ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zheng-zhong-xia-huai)

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