提纲挈领
tí gāng qiè lǐng
to grasp the essentials; to bring out the main points
Character by character
提tí
lift
lift
纲gāng
headrope
headrope
挈qiè
raise
raise
领lǐng
collar
collar
Example
他的发言提纲挈领，几句话就把问题讲清楚了。
His remarks went straight to the essentials, and a few sentences made the matter clear.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Lift a net by its rope and a coat by its collar, and the rest comes with it. Praises a speech, summary or report that picks out the key points. 提纲 alone is an outline (先写个提纲). Close to 纲举目张, but 提纲挈领 is about presenting the main points, 纲举目张 about what follows once you grasp them.
Learn this in Lesson 200 · HSK 7–9: 五年规划怎样做成 (How a five-year plan is made)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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