bù不notzhī知knowsuǒ所whatcuò措do
To not know what to do; to be at a loss; to be at one's wits' end.
Literal meaning
not (不) — know (知) — what (所) — do (措)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a state of confusion or helplessness.
Examples
Miàn面duì对tū突fā发qíng情kuàng况，tā他bù不zhī知suǒ所cuò措。
Faced with the sudden situation, he didn't know what to do.
Tīng听dào到zhè这ge个xiāo消xi息，wǒ我yī一shí时bù不zhī知suǒ所cuò措。
Hearing the news, I was at a loss for a moment.
Usage & nuances
Describes a feeling of helplessness or confusion in the face of a difficult situation.
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