Definition
捶胸顿足 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'beat one's chest and stamp one's feet', but it's used figuratively to describe extreme grief, anguish, regret, or frustration — the kind of dramatic physical reaction someone might have when they are devastated by bad news or a terrible mistake. It's often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
idiom
to beat one's breast and stamp one's feet in extreme griefregretor frustration
Examples
- ，捶胸顿足，。Tīng dào zhège xiāoxi, tā jí de chuí xiōng dùn zú, hòuhuǐ bùyǐ.Upon hearing the news, he was so anxious that he beat his chest and stamped his feet, full of regret.
- ，捶胸顿足，。Fùqīn qùshì hòu, mǔqīn zhěngtiān chuí xiōng dùn zú, kū de sǐ qù huó lái.After father passed away, mother spent all day beating her chest and stamping her feet, crying bitterly.
- 捶胸顿足，。Tā yīnwèi tóuzī shībài ér chuí xiōng dùn zú, dàn yǐjīng wúfǎ wǎnhuí.He beat his chest and stamped his feet over the failed investment, but it was already irreversible.
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