无从下手 (mó) — to have no idea how to start; to not know where to begin
Definition
A set phrase meaning 'have no idea where to begin' — usually because a task is too complex, unfamiliar, or overwhelming. It emphasizes not knowing how to START, not inability overall.
verb
to have no idea how to startto not know where to begin
Examples
- ,无从下手。Zhè ge xiàng mù tài fù zá, wǒ zhēn shì mó.This project is too complex; I really have no idea how to start.
- ,无从下手。Miàn duì yì duī shù jù, tā gǎn dào mó.Faced with a pile of data, he felt at a loss as to where to begin.
- ,无从下手。Dì yī cì xiě lùn wén, nán miǎn mó.When writing a paper for the first time, it's hard to avoid not knowing where to start.
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