Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'unarmed, defenseless'. Literally it reads 'hands without an inch of iron' — the 'iron' refers to any weapon made of metal. You can use it to describe someone who has no weapon to defend themselves, often in a confrontation or dangerous situation.
f.e.
unarmeddefenseless (idiom)
Examples
- 手无寸铁，。Tā shǒu wú cùn tiě, què yǒnggǎn de chōng le shàng qù.Though unarmed, he bravely charged forward.
- 手无寸铁，。Miàn duì shǒu wú cùn tiě de píngmín, shìbīng men fàng xià le qiāng.Facing unarmed civilians, the soldiers put down their guns.
- ，手无寸铁。Jǐngchá gǎn dào shí, dǎitú yǐjīng shǒu wú cùn tiě le.By the time the police arrived, the attacker was already unarmed.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.