捶胸顿足 (chuí xiōng dùn zú) — (idiom) to beat one's breast and stamp one's feet in extreme grief, regret, or frustration
Definition
A vivid idiom for extreme grief, deep regret, or frustration — the dramatic image of beating one's chest and stamping one's feet. Used in formal writing; not for everyday complaints.
idiom
to beat one's breast and stamp one's feet in extreme grief, regret, or frustration
Examples
- ，捶胸顿足，。Tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi, tā jí dé chuí xiōng dùn zú, hòu huǐ bù yǐ.Upon hearing the news, he was so anxious that he beat his chest and stamped his feet, full of regret.
- ，捶胸顿足，。Fù qīn qù shì hòu, mǔ qīn zhěng tiān chuí xiōng dùn zú, kū dé sǐ qù huó lái.After father passed away, mother spent all day beating her chest and stamping her feet, crying bitterly.
- 捶胸顿足，。Tā yīn wèi tóu zī shī bài ér chuí xiōng dùn zú, dàn yǐ jīng wú fǎ wǎn huí.He beat his chest and stamped his feet over the failed investment, but it was already irreversible.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side
Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.
捶胸 and 顿足 describe beating the chest and stamping the feet, showing extreme grief or frustration.
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