📖 Meaning
To be so frightened that one loses all composure and does not know what to do. It describes a state of panic where someone is unable to react calmly or rationally to a sudden alarming situation.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Book of Northern Qi, Biography of Yuan Huiye' (《北齐书·元晖业传》), a historical text from the Tang dynasty. When Yuan Xiaoyu was led to execution, he was panicked and completely lost his composure, whereas Yuan Huiye remained calm and self-possessed. The stark contrast between the two men's reactions in the face of death gave rise to this expression, which has since been used to describe anyone thrown into a state of helpless panic.
💡 Example Usage
听到警报声骤然响起，众人惊惶失措，纷纷夺门而出。
When the alarm suddenly went off, everyone panicked and lost their composure, rushing out the doors in confusion.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 惊惶失措
- Pinyin: jīng huáng shī cuò
- Literal Translation: startled, panicked, lose, composure
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4