# 一筹莫展

yī chóu mò zhǎn

Be completely unable to find a solution

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Cannot put forward even one plan

**Traditional Chinese:** 一籌莫展

**Register:** Troubled · general

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

## When to use it

Describe being stuck despite needing action.

Often temporary, not proof of incompetence.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase imagines someone unable to produce even a single workable move. It describes the frustration of facing a problem without knowing where to begin. Modern speakers use it for technical faults, personal dilemmas, or difficult planning. The block can arise from missing information or resources rather than lack of ability. Help, a new clue, or a pause may reveal options that were not visible at first.

## Examples

面对故障，他一筹莫展。

### Traditional Chinese

面對故障，他一籌莫展。

miàn duì gù zhàng ， tā yī chóu mò zhǎn 。

He was at a loss over the fault.

找不到资料，我们一筹莫展。

### Traditional Chinese

找不到資料，我們一籌莫展。

zhǎo bú dào zī liào ， wǒ men yī chóu mò zhǎn 。

Without the material, we had no workable solution.

她对这道题一筹莫展。

### Traditional Chinese

她對這道題一籌莫展。

tā duì zhè dào tí yī chóu mò zhǎn 。

She had no idea how to solve this problem.

同事的提示让他不再一筹莫展。

### Traditional Chinese

同事的提示讓他不再一籌莫展。

tóng shì de tí shì ràng tā bú zài yī chóu mò zhǎn 。

A colleague's hint helped him find a way forward.

## 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=%E4%B8%80%E7%B1%8C%E8%8E%AB%E5%B1%95)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=153&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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- [一举两得 yī jǔ liǎng dé Achieve two things with one action ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-ju-liang-de)

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