Definition
This is a four-character idiom meaning 'to do something just to get it over with, without putting in real effort'. Literally it reads 'muddle and finish the matter', but the core sense is a careless, perfunctory attitude. You can use it about work, homework, or any task that someone handles sloppily just to meet the minimum requirement.
v.p.
to do something perfunctorilyto muddle through one's work
Examples
- 敷衍了事，。Tā zuò zuòyè zǒngshì fū yǎn liǎo shì, hěn shǎo rènzhēn jiǎnchá.He always muddles through his homework and rarely checks it carefully.
- 敷衍了事，。Yuángōng rúguǒ fū yǎn liǎo shì, gōngsī chízǎo huì chū wèntí.If employees just go through the motions, the company will run into trouble sooner or later.
- 敷衍了事，，。Bié fū yǎn liǎo shì le, zhège xiàngmù hěn zhòngyào, děi rènzhēn zuò.Don't just muddle through — this project is important; you have to do it carefully.
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