Definition
手忙脚乱 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'hands busy, feet confused'. It describes a state of frantic fluster, usually when you're rushed or overwhelmed and start fumbling. You can use it as a predicate (他手忙脚乱) or as an adverbial modifier (手忙脚乱地做事). The tone is often slightly critical or self-deprecating, implying the fluster led to mistakes or inefficiency.
f.e.
to be in a flurryto be flustered and flurried (usually due to being rushed or overwhelmed)
Examples
- ，手忙脚乱。Tā zǎoshang qǐ wǎn le, kāishǐ shǒu máng jiǎo luàn de chuān yīfu.He woke up late in the morning and started to dress in a flurry.
- ，，。Kǎoshì kuài kāishǐ le, tā cái fāxiàn méi dài bǐ, jí de shǒu máng jiǎo luàn.Just as the exam was about to start, he realized he hadn't brought a pen and got flustered.
- ，手忙脚乱。Kèrén jiù yào dào le, chúfáng lǐ rénrén shǒu máng jiǎo luàn de zhǔnbèi fàncài.The guests are about to arrive, and everyone in the kitchen is preparing the meal in a flurry.
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