拔起树根，塞住水源。比喻从根本上彻底解决问题to solve the root of a problem; to dig out the roots and clog up the source

• 杜知县则认为，再造一所管理人性化的监狱，才是“拔本塞源之道”。

  Magistrate Du believed however that the way to solve the root of the problem was to construct a new, humanely-run prison.

• 对于制假造假的丑恶现象，应该拔本塞源。

  The evils of counterfeiting and fraud should be dug out at their roots.