📖 Meaning
To be in a state of panic and confusion, at a complete loss for what to do. It describes someone so flustered by sudden danger that they cannot think clearly or take appropriate action. It is a variant of 仓皇失措.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from a story recorded in the Ming Dynasty work 'Yong Zhuang Xiao Pin' (涌幢小品) by Zhu Guozhen, in the chapter 'Pan Tu Di' (判土地). According to the account, when the official Chongzhi arrived the next day, the river was flooding. Midway across, the boat lost its oars, and the boatman was thrown into utter panic, unable to cope with the situation. The phrase thus came to describe being completely overwhelmed and helpless in a crisis.
💡 Example Usage
敌军突然夜袭，守将仓皇无措，连军令都来不及下达。
When the enemy launched a surprise night attack, the defending general was so panicked that he couldn't even issue orders in time.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 仓皇无措
- Pinyin: cāng huáng wú cuò
- Literal Translation: panic, flee, no, measure
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4