Definition
两手空空 is a four-character idiom (set phrase) meaning 'empty-handed' — it describes a situation where someone walks away with nothing, whether money, goods, or results. It is used as a verb phrase (predicate) and often carries a tone of disappointment or failure, as in 'he came back empty-handed from the business trip.' The literal image is 'both hands are empty', but the meaning is always figurative.
v.p.
to come away empty-handedto have nothing to show for one's efforts
Examples
- ，两手空空。Tā zài miànshì le wǔ cì zhīhòu, réngrán shì liǎng shǒu kōng kōng.After five interviews, he still came away empty-handed.
- ，两手空空。Zhè cì tóuzī shībài, tā zuìhòu liǎng shǒu kōng kōng de líkāi le gōngsī.After this investment failure, he left the company empty-handed in the end.
- ，两手空空，。Qù le yí tàng gǔdǒng shìchǎng, tā yīrán liǎng shǒu kōng kōng, shénme yě méi mǎi dào.After a trip to the antique market, he was still empty-handed, having bought nothing.
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