惊慌失措 (jīng huāng shī cuò) — (idiom) to panic and not know what to do; to be thrown into a panic
Definition
Used for sudden, acute panic — losing composure because of fear or shock. Stronger than 不知所措 (mere loss of composure) and adds a fear element that 提心吊胆 (ongoing dread) lacks.
idiom
to panic and not know what to doto be thrown into a panic
Examples
- ，惊慌失措。Tīng dào jǐng bào shēng, dà jiā dōu jīng huāng shī cuò.Everyone panicked when they heard the alarm.
- ，惊慌失措。Kǎo shì shí yù dào nán tí, qiān wàn bù néng jīng huāng shī cuò.When you encounter a tough problem on an exam, you mustn't panic.
- 惊慌失措。Tā miàn duì tū fā zhuàng kuàng xiǎn de shí fēn jīng huāng shī cuò.He appeared completely flustered in the face of the emergency.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate
Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.
惊 and 慌 both express fear and haste; 失 and 措 add the idea of losing one's bearings.
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