手足无措(手足無措)
手足无措 (shǒu zú wú cuò) literally means “hands and feet without placement”and expresses “at a loss; flustered”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: shou zu wu cuo, shou zu wu cuo,手足无措 meaning, 手足无措 in english
Pronunciation: shǒu zú wú cuò Literal meaning: Hands and feet without placement
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes hands (手) and feet (足) having no place (无措) to go - not knowing where to put one's limbs. The physical awkwardness represents mental confusion and panic. The phrase appeared in Confucian texts describing the discomfort of impropriety. It captures the paralysis of sudden confusion where even basic physical coordination fails. Modern usage describes being so flustered or surprised that one doesn't know how to react.
When to Use
Situation: The sudden question left him completely flustered.
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
匠心独运
jiàng xīn dú yùn
Apply creative genius; show ingenuity
Learn more →
独具匠心
dú jù jiàng xīn
Show great ingenuity; have original design
Learn more →
出神入化
chū shén rù huà
Reach supernatural skill level
Learn more →
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
Learn more →
急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
Learn more →
旗开得胜
qí kāi dé shèng
Win at the very start; immediate success
Learn more →
战无不胜
zhàn wú bù shèng
Win every battle; be undefeated
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 手足无措 mean in English?
手足无措 (shǒu zú wú cuò) literally translates to “Hands and feet without placement”and is used to express “At a loss; flustered”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..
When is 手足无措 used?
Situation: The sudden question left him completely flustered.
What is the pinyin for 手足无措?
The pinyin pronunciation for 手足无措 is “shǒu zú wú cuò”.