凿空

鑿空
záokōng
  1. to open an aperture
  2. (extended meaning) to cut a way through
  3. to open up a road

CEDICT

  1. (literary) forced; far-fetched
  2. (literary) to open up a road; to clear a path; to make a way
  3. forced; far-fetched
  4. to open up a road; to clear a path; to make a way

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 凿 záo
  1. (bound form) chisel
  2. to bore a hole; to chisel; to dig
  3. (literary) certain; authentic; irrefutable
  4. also pr. zuò
2 空 kōng
  1. empty
  2. air
  3. sky
  4. in vain

Containing this entry

凿空之论 záokōngzhīlùn