Definition
This four-character idiom literally means 'to overturn chests and topple cupboards' and is used figuratively to describe a thorough, often messy search for something. You can use it as a predicate or adverbial phrase, e.g. 翻箱倒柜地找 (to search by rummaging through everything).
f.e.
to rummage through everythingto turn everything upside down in search of something
Examples
- ，翻箱倒柜。Wèile zhǎo nà fēng zhòngyào de xìn, tā fān xiāng dǎo de zhǎo le yì zhěng tiān.He spent the whole day rummaging through everything to find that important letter.
- 翻箱倒柜，。Xiǎotōu bǎ jiālǐ fān xiāng dǎo, zhíqián de dōngxi dōu ná zǒu le.The thief turned the house upside down and took all the valuables.
- 翻箱倒柜，。Māma fān xiāng dǎo, zhōngyú zhǎo dào le nà zhāng jiù zhàopiàn.Mom rummaged through everything and finally found that old photo.
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