粛清

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 粛清, read しゅくせい, combines stern correction 粛 with clearing away 清 as a political term for a purge.
• Basic usage: It denotes forcibly eliminating opponents by those in power, as in 大臣が粛清される.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Tone and register
  • It is a grave political or historical term, not ordinary staffing changes or cleaning, and can imply violent repression.