惊慌失措 — “To be in a state of utter panic and confusion, not knowing what to do”
惊慌失措 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be in a state of utter panic and confusion, not knowing what to do”. To lose one's head due to fright or alarm. Literally, “panic and lose one's composure”.
惊慌失措 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 惊jīng
- 慌huāng
- 失shī
- 措cuò
惊慌失措 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 惊慌失措
Origin and Story of 惊慌失措
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, Yuan Huiye, the great-great-grandson of Emperor Jingmu of Northern Wei, was known for his integrity and strong character.
After Northern Wei was conquered by Northern Qi, Emperor Shenwu of Northern Qi arranged for the empress of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei to marry Yuan Shao, a nephew of Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei. Yuan Huiye openly denounced Yuan Shao in front of Emperor Wenxuan of Qi.
Infuriated, Emperor Wenxuan ordered Yuan Huiye's execution, along with Yuan Xiaoyou. Yuan Xiaoyou was utterly panic-stricken and at a complete loss, while Yuan Huiye faced his death with composure and dignity.
Idioms Related to 惊慌失措
Synonyms of 惊慌失措
More idioms starting with 惊
- jīng惊shì世jué绝sú俗astonishingly unique and world-shaking
- jīng惊shì世zhèn震sú俗shockingly unconventional or outrageous
- jīng惊shì世hài骇sú俗shocking and unconventional
- jīng惊shì世hài骇mù目to startle the world and shock the eyes
- jīng惊rén人zhī之jǔ举an astonishing feat
- jīng惊tàn叹bù不yǐ已exclaim in great admiration
- jīng惊xǐ喜jiāo交jiā加overwhelmed with surprise and joy
- jīng惊xǐ喜jiāo交jí集mingled surprise and delight
- jīng惊xǐ喜cān参bàn半mixed feelings of surprise and joy
- jīng惊xǐ喜yù欲kuáng狂wild with joy and excitement
- jīng惊xǐ喜ruò若kuáng狂overwhelmed with joy and surprise
- jīng惊tiān天dòng动dì地earth-shattering and monumental
Questions about 惊慌失措
- What does 惊慌失措 mean?
- 惊慌失措 (jīng huāng shī cuò) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be in a state of utter panic and confusion, not knowing what to do”.
- How do you pronounce 惊慌失措?
- 惊慌失措 is pronounced jīng huāng shī cuò in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 惊慌失措 literally mean?
- Literally, 惊慌失措 means “panic and lose one's composure”. It is used to mean “to be in a state of utter panic and confusion, not knowing what to do”.
- Where does 惊慌失措 come from?
- 惊慌失措 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 惊慌失措?
- 失措：失去常态。由于惊慌，一下子不知怎么办才好。