Definition
This chengyu (four-character idiom) describes a person's state of being nervous, awkward, or uncomfortable, especially in a social or formal situation. The literal meaning is 'constrained and uneasy'. Use it when someone feels fidgety or out of place, often due to pressure or unfamiliarity.
f.e.
ill at easenervousuncomfortable (of a person's state)
Examples
- ,局促不安。Tā dì yī cì shàng tái yǎnjiǎng, xiǎnde jú cù bú.He looked ill at ease when giving his first speech on stage.
- ,局促不安。Zài mòshēng de huánjìng lǐ, tā zǒngshì gǎndào jú cù bú.She always feels ill at ease in unfamiliar surroundings.
- ,局促不安,。Miànduì lǎobǎn de zhìwèn, tā jú cù bú, shuō bù chū huà lái.Facing his boss's questioning, he was ill at ease and couldn't speak.
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