📖 Meaning
Literally 'killing a chicken and wiping the neck,' describing the gesture of drawing one's hand across the throat. It depicts the anxious, helpless expression of someone who is desperate and at their wits' end, frantically signaling for help.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Chapter 21 of the Qing dynasty novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦) by Cao Xueqin. Jia Lian, caught in a secret affair, turned pale with fear when confronted by his wife Wang Xifeng. Standing behind Xifeng, he desperately gestured at Ping'er—drawing his hand across his neck and making eye signals—begging her to cover up his indiscretion. The vivid throat-cutting gesture of anxious desperation gave rise to the expression.
💡 Example Usage
他急得杀鸡抹脖，连连向同事使眼色求帮忙遮掩。
He was so frantic he drew his hand across his neck, repeatedly signaling his colleague with his eyes, begging for help covering it up.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 杀鸡抹脖
- Pinyin: shā jī mǒ bó
- Literal Translation: kill, chicken, wipe, neck
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4