riddled with holes; full of problems
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesidiom
badly damaged; full of holes
formalLiterally means 'a hundred holes, a thousand wounds.' Often used to describe physical structures, systems, or institutions that are severely damaged or dysfunctional.
Jīng经
lì历
duō多
nián年
zhàn战
huǒ火
hòu后
，
zhè这
zuò座
chéng城
shì市
yǐ已
shì是
bǎi百
kǒng孔
qiān千
chuāng疮
。
After years of war, the city was riddled with holes.
Zhè这
zuò座
gǔ古
lǎo老
de的
chéng城
qiáng墙
zǎo早
yǐ已
bǎi百
kǒng孔
qiān千
chuāng疮
。
This ancient city wall has long been full of holes.
idiom
full of flaws and problems; riddled with defects
formalUsed metaphorically to describe organizations, systems, policies, or situations that have many serious shortcomings.
Zhè这
gè个
gōng公
sī司
de的
guǎn管
lǐ理
zhì制
dù度
bǎi百
kǒng孔
qiān千
chuāng疮
，
jí急
xū需
gǎi改
gé革
。
This company's management system is full of holes and urgently needs reform.
Jiù旧
de的
jīng经
jì济
zhèng政
cè策
bǎi百
kǒng孔
qiān千
chuāng疮
，
yǐ已
jīng经
bù不
shì适
yìng应
xīn新
shí时
dài代
le了
。
The old economic policy is riddled with defects and is no longer suited to the new era.
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Zhè这
fèn份
bào报
gào告
jiē揭
shì示
le了
jiào教
yù育
tǐ体
xì系
zhōng中
de的
bǎi百
kǒng孔
qiān千
chuāng疮
。
This report reveals the myriad flaws in the education system.