七上八下

qī shàng bā xià
idiom★Intermediate◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
to be in a state of extreme anxiety or unease
Literal Meaning
seven up and eight down
Literal Breakdown
七seven+上up+八eight+下down
◇ Mental Image
a person being pulled in different directions, feeling anxious or uneasy
◈ When to Use
When someone is facing a difficult decision or an uncertain situation, they may feel 七上八下.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom has been used in Chinese culture for centuries to describe a state of anxiety or unease.
informal

to be in a state of extreme anxiety or unease, with a feeling of being on edge

他听到这个消息后，感到七上八下。

After hearing the news, he felt extremely anxious.

Synonyms

Antonyms

📖Word Origin

This idiom originated from the Chinese proverb '七上八下', which literally means 'seven up and eight down'. It is used to describe a state of mind where one feels anxious or uneasy.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal settings to describe a person's emotional state.

Word Breakdown

七
seven
number
+
上
up
direction
+
八
eight
number
+
下
down
direction
汉英词典