stand obliquely with trepidation; not dare to move
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
stand with feet at an angle; be too afraid to move
literaryClassical/literary expression to depict extreme fear and caution, as if stepping on dangerous ground. Used metaphorically.
Miàn面
duì对
shàng上
sī司
de的
léi雷
tíng霆
zhī之
nù怒
，
tā他
cè侧
zú足
ér而
lì立
，
bù不
gǎn敢
zuò作
shēng声
。
Facing his superior's thunderous rage, he stood obliquely, not daring to make a sound.
Tīng听
wén闻
qián前
fāng方
yǒu有
měng猛
shòu兽
，
zhòng众
rén人
jiē皆
cè侧
zú足
，
bù不
gǎn敢
qián前
jìn进
。
Upon hearing there were fierce beasts ahead, everyone was too afraid to move forward.
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Zài在
nà那
wèi位
wēi威
yán严
de的
lǎo老
rén人
miàn面
qián前
，
tā她
jǐn紧
zhāng张
de得
cè侧
zú足
bǐng屏
xī息
。
In front of that imposing old man, she was so nervous she stood obliquely and held her breath.
verb
participate in; get involved in (used as 厕足)
literaryThis is a classical variant meaning 'to set foot in' or 'to get involved in a certain affair or circle.'
Tā他
wú无
yì意
cè侧
zú足
yú于
zhè这
chǎng场
fēn纷
zhēng争
zhī之
zhōng中
。
He had no intention of getting involved in this dispute.
Cǐ此
shì事
fēi非
wǒ我
děng等
kě可
yǐ以
cè侧
zú足
，
hái还
shì是
jìng静
guān观
qí其
biàn变
wéi为
hǎo好
。
This is not a matter we can get involved in; it's better to just watch and see how it develops.