Chinese idiom · 成语
矫枉过正
Meaning
Correcting a bend too far; overcompensating.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountThe image is of straightening something bent but pushing it too far in the opposite direction. Related early wording appears in the Yue Jue Shu and the Book of Han. A clear use of the exact expression occurs in an edict from Emperor Ming of Wei to Cao Zhi, preserved in the Records of the Three Kingdoms.
Cao Rui explains that no decree had forbidden the princes from communicating with one another. Subordinate officials, frightened of punishment, had imposed excessive restrictions anyway. He calls this overcorrection and orders the responsible offices to address the complaint. Modern usage likewise criticizes a remedy that creates a new imbalance by going beyond what is needed.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
为了减少群消息就禁止所有讨论，有点矫枉过正了。
Banning all discussion just to cut down on group messages is a bit of an overcorrection.
Criticizes an excessive response to a real or perceived problem.