英语词组break a butterfly on a wheel是什么意思，短语翻译、用法及例句-英语词组固定搭配大全

idiombreak a butterfly on a wheel BrEBrEto use severe methods that harm people who have not done anything very bad, for example by passing strict laws to prevent crime:The conviction of this young man for possession of drugs seems to be a case of breaking a butterfly on a wheel.

break a butterfly on a wheel

To apply an excessive amount of force to achieve something minor, unimportant, or insignificant. The phrase appears in the rhetorical question, "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" The line is a quotation from Alexander Pope's poem "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot." To "break upon a wheel" refers to a mode of torture, in which a victim has their bones broken while strapped to a large wheel. The government's use of drone strikes and artillery bombing on the town to wipe out a tiny faction of rebels is totally unjustifiable—who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?

break a butterfly on a wheel

use unnecessary force in destroying something fragile or insignificant.

In former times, breaking someone upon the wheel was a form of punishment or torture which involved fastening criminals to a wheel so that their bones would be broken or dislocated.

1998 Times But why break a butterfly upon a wheel? What harm does the Liberal Democrat leader do? Unfortunately he may be about to do a great deal.

词组	break a butterfly on a wheel
释义	idiombreak a butterfly on a wheel BrEBrEto use severe methods that harm people who have not done anything very bad, for example by passing strict laws to prevent crime:The conviction of this young man for possession of drugs seems to be a case of breaking a butterfly on a wheel. break a butterfly on a wheel To apply an excessive amount of force to achieve something minor, unimportant, or insignificant. The phrase appears in the rhetorical question, "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" The line is a quotation from Alexander Pope's poem "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot." To "break upon a wheel" refers to a mode of torture, in which a victim has their bones broken while strapped to a large wheel. The government's use of drone strikes and artillery bombing on the town to wipe out a tiny faction of rebels is totally unjustifiable—who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel? break a butterfly on a wheel use unnecessary force in destroying something fragile or insignificant. In former times, breaking someone upon the wheel was a form of punishment or torture which involved fastening criminals to a wheel so that their bones would be broken or dislocated. 1998 Times But why break a butterfly upon a wheel? What harm does the Liberal Democrat leader do? Unfortunately he may be about to do a great deal.
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