# 愁眉不展

chóu méi bù zhǎn

Remain visibly worried

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Worried brows do not relax

**Register:** Somber · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe a persistent frown caused by concern.

An observed expression, not a complete diagnosis of mood.

## Understanding the expression

The brow remains tightened rather than opening into a relaxed expression. The phrase describes worry that visibly persists, often during financial trouble, family uncertainty, or a difficult decision. It focuses on the face as a sign of concern. An observer may notice the frown without knowing its cause, so the sentence should avoid confident guesses where none are justified. Asking gently can be more useful than interpreting every serious expression as deep distress.

## Examples

账单不断增加，他愁眉不展。

### Traditional Chinese

賬單不斷增加，他愁眉不展。

zhàng dān bú duàn zēng jiā ， tā chóu méi bù zhǎn 。

Growing bills keep him visibly worried.

母亲为孩子的病愁眉不展。

### Traditional Chinese

母親為孩子的病愁眉不展。

mǔ qīn wèi hái zi de bìng chóu méi bù zhǎn 。

The child's illness leaves the mother worried.

她整天愁眉不展，我问她是否需要帮助。

### Traditional Chinese

她整天愁眉不展，我問她是否需要幫助。

tā zhěng tiān chóu méi bù zhǎn ， wǒ wèn tā shì fǒu xū yào bāng zhù 。

She looked worried all day, so I offered help.

问题解决后，他不再愁眉不展。

### Traditional Chinese

問題解決後，他不再愁眉不展。

wèn tí jiě jué hòu ， tā bú zài chóu méi bù zhǎn 。

He stopped looking worried once the problem was solved.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%84%81%E7%9C%89%E4%B8%8D%E5%B1%95)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=676&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [触景生情 chù jǐng shēng qíng Have feelings stirred by a scene ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-jing-sheng-qing)

- [触类旁通 chù lèi páng tōng Infer related knowledge from what you understand ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-lei-pang-tong)

- [穿凿附会 chuān záo fù huì Force unrelated details into an explanation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chuan-zao-fu-hui)

- [垂涎三尺 chuí xián sān chǐ Crave or covet something intensely ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chui-xian-san-chi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 踌躇满志 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chou-chu-man-zhi) [Next idiom 初出茅庐 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-chu-mao-lu)