先斬後奏

1. • execute sb first, then report to the emperor (idiom)

     lit.

2. • to act first and report later to take action without prior approval

     fig.

Character by character

• 先(xiān)beforehand
• 斬(zhǎn)behead
• 後(hòu)later
• 奏(zòu)present a memorial to the emperor