chase the wind and grasp at shadows; make groundless accusations; speak or act on hearsay
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to speak or act on hearsay; to make groundless accusations; to chase shadows
formalCriticizes behavior that is based on rumors, suspicion, or flimsy evidence without seeking truth or facts. Often has a negative connotation, implying irresponsibility or slander.
Zhè这
xiē些
zhǐ指
kòng控
wán完
quán全
shì是
bǔ捕
fēng风
zhuō捉
yǐng影
，
méi没
yǒu有
rèn任
hé何
zhèng证
jù据
。
These accusations are completely groundless; there is no evidence whatsoever.
Xīn新
wén闻
bào报
dào道
yào要
shí实
shì事
qiú求
shì是
，
bù不
néng能
bǔ捕
fēng风
zhuō捉
yǐng影
。
News reporting must be based on facts and cannot rely on hearsay.
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Tā他
zǒng总
ài爱
bǔ捕
fēng风
zhuō捉
yǐng影
de地
cāi猜
cè测
bié别
rén人
de的
sī私
shì事
。
He always likes to speculate about other people's private matters based on rumors.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
bǔ捕
fēng风
zhuō捉
yǐng影
de的
yáo谣
yán言
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
bù不
gōng攻
zì自
pò破
le了
。
This kind of unfounded rumor quickly collapsed of its own accord.