七手八脚
七手八脚 (qī shǒu bā jiǎo) literally means “seven hands eight feet” and expresses “many people busily working together in disorder”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving strategy and action.
Also searched as: qi shou ba jiao, qi shou ba jiao,七手八脚 meaning, 七手八脚 in english
Many people busily working together in disorder
Pronunciation: qī shǒu bā jiǎo Literal meaning: Seven hands eight feet
Origin & Usage
Tang Dynasty temple construction projects gave birth to this vivid phrase describing numerous hands (七手) and feet (八脚) moving simultaneously. The image of multiple workers in confined spaces, creating organized chaos, resonated through the ages. Song Dynasty writers found humor in these scenes of well-intended but disorderly group efforts. Today, from emergency rooms to crisis management teams, it captures the energy of multiple people working together with more enthusiasm than coordination.
Examples
English: "The emergency room staff moved in chaotic coordination to save the accident victim"
Chinese: 急诊室的工作人员以混乱的协调配合拯救事故受害者
Related Chinese Idioms
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一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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集思广益
jí sī guǎng yì
Gather wisdom from many
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胸有成竹
xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
Have clear plan beforehand
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步步为营
bù bù wéi yíng
Advance methodically with caution
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退避三舍
tuì bì sān shè
Make concessions to avoid conflict
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旁敲侧击
páng qiāo cè jī
Approach indirectly to achieve goal
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 七手八脚 mean in English?
七手八脚 (qī shǒu bā jiǎo) literally translates to “Seven hands eight feet” and is used to express “Many people busily working together in disorder”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Strategy & Action category.
When is 七手八脚 used?
Situation: The emergency room staff moved in chaotic coordination to save the accident victim
What is the pinyin for 七手八脚?
The pinyin pronunciation for 七手八脚 is “qī shǒu bā jiǎo”.
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