# 手足无措

shǒu zú wú cuò

Be flustered and unsure how to act

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Hands and feet have nowhere to go

**Traditional Chinese:** 手足無措

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe visible confusion under sudden pressure.

Temporary helplessness, not general incompetence.

## Understanding the expression

Hands and feet normally carry out a response, but here they seem to have no appropriate place or action. The expression vividly portrays someone flustered by surprise, embarrassment, or an urgent unfamiliar situation. It overlaps with being at a loss, while adding a stronger physical sense of awkwardness. A clear instruction can help the person regain composure. One such moment does not demonstrate that they lack ability in familiar circumstances.

## Examples

孩子突然哭了，他手足无措。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子突然哭了，他手足無措。

hái zi tū rán kū le ， tā shǒu zú wú cuò 。

The child suddenly cried, leaving him flustered and unsure what to do.

面对突发故障，新人手足无措。

### Traditional Chinese

面對突發故障，新人手足無措。

miàn duì tū fā gù zhàng ， xīn rén shǒu zú wú cuò 。

The newcomer was bewildered by the unexpected malfunction.

她被众人围着问，手足无措。

### Traditional Chinese

她被眾人圍著問，手足無措。

tā bèi zhòng rén wéi zhe wèn ， shǒu zú wú cuò 。

Surrounded by people asking questions, she became flustered.

先深呼吸，别手足无措。

### Traditional Chinese

先深呼吸，別手足無措。

xiān shēn hū xī ， bié shǒu zú wú cuò 。

Take a deep breath first; do not become flustered.

## 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%89%8B%E8%B6%B3%E7%84%A1%E6%8E%AA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=861&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [束手无策 shù shǒu wú cè Be unable to find an effective solution ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shu-shou-wu-ce)

- [束之高阁 shù zhī gāo gé Set something aside and ignore it ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shu-zhi-gao-ge)

- [率由旧章 shuài yóu jiù zhāng Follow the established rules or practices ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shuai-you-jiu-zhang)

- [双管齐下 shuāng guǎn qí xià Use two approaches at the same time ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shuang-guan-qi-xia)

## 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 守株待兔 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shou-zhu-dai-tu) [Next idiom 数典忘祖 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shu-dian-wang-zu)