zhǐ指pointshǒu手handhuà画drawjiǎo脚foot
to gesticulate wildly; to boss around
Literal meaning
point (指) — hand (手) — draw (画) — foot (脚)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing someone who is overly critical or bossy.
Examples
Tā他bù不xǐ喜huan欢bié别rén人duì对tā他zhǐ指shǒu手huà画jiǎo脚。
He doesn't like others bossing him around.
Bù不yào要duì对wǒ我de的gōng工zuò作zhǐ指shǒu手huà画jiǎo脚。
Don't interfere with my work.
Usage & nuances
Often used in a negative context to describe someone who is being overly critical or controlling.
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