合不拢嘴 (hé bù lǒng zuǐ) — to grin from ear to ear, to be unable to stop smiling

Definition

A vivid 成语 for grinning so wide your mouth can't close — from great joy or amusement. It is a set phrase, not a literal mouth action.

verb
to grin from ear to earto be unable to stop smiling

Examples

  • 合不拢嘴
    Tā jiǎng le yí gè xiào hua, dòu dé dà jiā xiào dé hé bù lǒng zuǐ.
    He told a joke, and it made everyone laugh so hard they couldn't stop smiling.
  • 合不拢嘴
    Tīng dào bèi lù qǔ de xiāo xi, tā gāo xìng dé hé bù lǒng zuǐ.
    When she heard she was accepted, she was so happy she couldn't stop grinning.
  • 合不拢嘴
    Kàn le nà bù xǐ jù diàn yǐng, guān zhòng gè gè hé bù lǒng zuǐ.
    After watching that comedy film, every audience member was grinning from ear to ear.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.