Definition
挖空心思 is a four-character set phrase meaning 'to rack one's brains' — it describes a deliberate and often intense effort to think of a solution, an excuse, or a plan. The literal image is 'digging out one's mind empty'. It carries a slightly negative or desperate tone, especially when used for schemes or excuses.
v.o.
to rack one's brainsto think hard and exhaustively
Examples
- 挖空心思。Tā wā kōng xīn si xiǎng zhǎo gè jièkǒu bù qù kāihuì.He racked his brains to find an excuse not to go to the meeting.
- ，挖空心思。Wèile yíngdé bǐsài, tāmen wā kōng xīn si yánjiū duìshǒu de zhànshù.To win the game, they racked their brains studying the opponent's tactics.
- 挖空心思，。Bié wā kōng xīn si le, zhè jiàn shì méi nàme fùzá.Don't rack your brains over it — this matter isn't that complicated.
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