矯きょう角かく殺さつ牛ぎゅう

expression

trying to fix a small flaw and ruining the whole thing

A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) used to warn against overcorrection that causes greater harm. Literally 'straightening the horns of a bull and killing it in the process'. Equivalent to 'the cure is worse than the disease'.

• 小ちいさなミスを直なおそうとして企き画かく全ぜん体たいを台だい無なしにするのは、まさに矯きょう角かく殺さつ牛ぎゅうだ。

  Trying to fix a small mistake and ruining the whole project is exactly a case of 'straightening the horns and killing the bull'.