一いっ刀とう両りょう断だん

noun

cutting in two with a single stroke

Literal meaning of the yojijukugo; used in contexts of swordsmanship or decisive physical cutting.

• 侍さむらいは一いっ刀とう両りょう断だんで敵てきを倒たおした。

  The samurai cut down his enemy with a single stroke.

noun

taking decisive action; cutting the Gordian knot

Figurative extension: resolving a difficult situation swiftly and decisively, without hesitation.

• 社しゃ長ちょうは問もん題だいを一いっ刀とう両りょう断だんに解かい決けつした。

  The president solved the problem decisively, cutting the Gordian knot.