摸棱两可 — “To be equivocal or ambiguous”
摸棱两可 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be equivocal or ambiguous”. To take an evasive or non-committal stand; to be indecisive and avoid taking a clear position. Literally, “Touching both edges, both sides acceptable”.
摸棱两可 Pronunciation and Pinyin
摸棱两可 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 摸棱两可
Origin and Story of 摸棱两可
During the Tang Dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian appointed Su Weidao as her prime minister. He was extremely diplomatic in his dealings and never clearly expressed his own views. He believed that by doing so, he would not offend anyone.
He described this evasive approach by saying, "Decisions should not be too clear; mistakes lead to regret. Ambiguity allows for both ends to be acceptable." People gave him the nickname "Su Moleng."
Later, he was demoted to Meizhou in Sichuan due to a mistake he made.
Idioms Related to 摸棱两可
Synonyms of 摸棱两可
Antonyms of 摸棱两可
More idioms starting with 摸
- mō摸bu不zháo着tóu头nǎo脑cannot make head or tail of it
- mō摸bu不zháo着biān边vague and irrelevant
- mō摸tóu头bù不zháo着unable to make head or tail
- mō摸zhe着shí石tou头guò过hé河cross river by feeling stones
- mō摸jīn金xiào校wèi尉tomb raider captain
- mō摸mén门bù不zháo着utterly confused, at a loss
- mō摸jī鸡tōu偷gǒu狗engage in petty theft or illicit affairs
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Open the tool →Questions about 摸棱两可
What does 摸棱两可 mean?
摸棱两可 (mō léng liǎng kě) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be equivocal or ambiguous”.
How do you pronounce 摸棱两可?
摸棱两可 is pronounced mō léng liǎng kě in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 摸棱两可 literally mean?
Literally, 摸棱两可 means “Touching both edges, both sides acceptable”. It is used to mean “to be equivocal or ambiguous”.
Where does 摸棱两可 come from?
摸棱两可 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 摸棱两可?
握持棱角，两端皆可。比喻遇事不决断可否，不分是非