一筹莫展 yìchóu-mòzhǎn to be unable to find a solution
to be unable to find a solution; to be at wits' end
How to remember 一筹莫展: 一 one + 筹 chip + 莫 cannot + 展 display = to be unable to find a solution.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Can't unfold a single plan' = at one's wits' end, stumped with no way forward - 面对难题,大家一筹莫展 (miànduì nántí, dàjiā yìchóu-mòzhǎn) faced with the problem, everyone was at a loss.
- Describes total helplessness before a difficulty, having exhausted ideas. 筹 = a plan/scheme; 展 = to unfold.
- More formal and vivid than 没办法 (méi bànfǎ, no way to do it).