棒打鸳鸯

棒打鸳鸯:

Literally means:

break up a pair of mandarin ducks with a club

Actually means:

鸳鸯, mandarin duck, is a bird on water and always appears in pairs. It figuratively means lovers or married couple.

The whole phrase means breaking up a pair of lovers or a couple, or forcing them to break up. It also means checking illegal cooperation or coalition. When used in the first sense, it is derogatory.

鸳鸯，一种水禽，总是成双成对，比喻情侣或夫 妻。

棒打鸳鸯，指把情人或夫妻拆散，或强迫他们分离。也指制止非法的合作或联盟。具有贬义色彩（但制止非法合作例外）。