Definition
蹑手蹑脚 is a four-character set phrase (成语) meaning 'to walk very quietly and carefully, tiptoeing so as not to make a sound'. It's used when you want to avoid being noticed — sneaking up on someone, entering a quiet room, or moving around someone who's sleeping. The literal image is 'treading softly with hands and feet'.
v.p.
to walk stealthilyto tiptoeto move gingerly without making noise
Examples
- ，蹑手蹑脚。Háizi shuì zháo le, wǒmen niè shǒu niè jiǎo de zǒu jìn fángjiān.The child fell asleep, so we tiptoed into the room.
- 蹑手蹑脚，。Tā niè shǒu niè jiǎo de zǒu dào ménkǒu, xiǎng xià māma yí tiào.He stealthily walked to the door, wanting to surprise his mom.
- ，蹑手蹑脚。Túshūguǎn lǐ dàjiā dōu zài kàn shū, tā zhǐhǎo niè shǒu niè jiǎo de zhǎo zuòwèi.Everyone in the library was reading, so he had to tiptoe to find a seat.
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