cuk1 sau2 mou4 caak3束手無策束手无策
Definition
At one's wits' end; completely unable to find a way to solve a problem.
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and slightly literary tone, often appearing in news reports or serious discussions rather than casual small talk. It describes a situation where one feels completely helpless or paralyzed by a lack of options, rather than just being confused or indecisive. Because it is a four character idiom, it is often used to add emphasis or gravity to a statement about a difficult predicament.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe simple confusion or minor problems, but it is reserved for situations where there is genuinely no viable solution or path forward. It is not suitable for everyday inconveniences like forgetting your keys or missing a bus.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
