快刀斬亂麻 [－－斩乱－]

Jyutping faai3 dou1 zaam2 lyun6 maa4
Pinyin kuài dāo zhǎn luàn má

Definitions (CC-CEDICT)
  1. lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (idiom); decisive action in a complex situation
  2. cutting the Gordian knot
Definitions (粵典–words.hk)
  1. 語句
    果斷​迅速​解決​問題
    to take quick and drastic action against something
    • 分手最好快刀斬亂麻，唔好拖拖拉拉。
      分手最好快刀斩乱麻，唔好拖拖拉拉。
      fan1 sau2 zeoi3 hou2 faai3 dou1 zaam2 lyun6 maa4, m4 hou2 to1 to1 laai1 laai1.
      You'd better make it quick if you are breaking up with someone.
Definitions (Wiktionary)
  1. phrase, figuratively, idiomatic
    to cut the Gordian knot; to solve a complex problem using a decisive and effective method
Examples (粵典–words.hk)
  1. Cantonese
    分手最好快刀斩乱麻，唔好拖拖拉拉。
    分手最好快刀斬亂麻，唔好拖拖拉拉。
    fan1 sau2 zeoi3 hou2 faai3 dou1 zaam2 lyun6 maa4, m4 hou2 to1 to1 laai1 laai1.
    • You'd better make it quick if you are breaking up with someone.