to hold back by the elbow; to impede; to hinder
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to hold someone back by the elbow; to impede; to hinder
formalOriginally a literal action of pulling someone's sleeve or elbow. Now used metaphorically to describe causing obstruction or interfering with someone's work, often through bureaucratic red tape or internal conflicts. The term carries a slightly formal or literary register.
Bù部
mén门
zhī之
jiān间
xiāng相
hù互
chè掣
zhǒu肘
，
dǎo导
zhì致
xiàng项
mù目
jìn进
zhǎn展
huǎn缓
màn慢
。
Mutual obstruction between departments led to slow project progress.
Gǎi改
gé革
guò过
chéng程
zhōng中
cháng常
huì会
yù遇
dào到
jì既
dé得
lì利
yì益
zhě者
de的
chè掣
zhǒu肘
。
Reform often encounters hindrance from vested interests.
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Tā他
běn本
xiǎng想
dà大
zhǎn展
quán拳
jiǎo脚
，
què却
chù处
chù处
shòu受
rén人
chè掣
zhǒu肘
。
He wanted to put his talents to full use, but was impeded at every turn.
Quē缺
fá乏
zì自
zhǔ主
quán权
，
zuò做
shì事
nán难
miǎn免
chè掣
zhǒu肘
。
Without autonomy, one is inevitably hindered in getting things done.