Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'bare-handed' or 'unarmed'. Literally 'red hands, empty fists', it describes fighting without weapons or, more figuratively, doing something without any tools, resources, or preparation. You can use it both literally (a martial artist fighting unarmed) and metaphorically (starting a business with no capital).
f.e.
bare-handedunarmed(figuratively) empty-handedwithout any resources or preparation
Examples
- 赤手空拳。Tā chì shǒu kōng quán dì dǎbài le nàge dǎitú.He defeated that gangster bare-handed.
- 赤手空拳，。Chuàngyè shí tā chì shǒu kōng quán, méiyǒu rènhé zījīn.When starting his business, he had nothing — no capital at all.
- ，赤手空拳。Miànduì kùnnán, wǒmen bùnéng chì shǒu kōng quán dì yìngpīn.Facing difficulties, we can't just fight bare-handed.
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