make groundless accusations; catch at shadows
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to speak or act without factual basis; to make groundless accusations; to catch at shadows
A pejorative idiom used to criticize someone who spreads rumors, makes accusations, or draws conclusions without evidence. It is a variant of the standard idiom 捕风捉影 (bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng). Other variants include 望风扑影 and 望风捉影.
Qíng情
kuàng况
méi没
nòng弄
qīng清
chu楚
，
bù不
yào要
wàng望
fēng风
bǔ捕
yǐng影
de地
luàn乱
shuō说
。
Don't make irresponsible remarks before the situation is clear.
Xīn新
wén闻
bào报
dào道
yīng应
gāi该
jī基
yú于
shì事
shí实
，
bù不
néng能
wàng望
fēng风
bǔ捕
yǐng影
。
News reporting should be based on facts, not on groundless speculation.
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Tā他
zhè这
gè个
rén人
zǒng总
shì是
wàng望
fēng风
bǔ捕
yǐng影
，
tīng听
xìn信
yáo谣
yán言
。
He is always catching at shadows and believing rumors.
Zhēn侦
tàn探
bàn办
àn案
xū需
yào要
zhèng证
jù据
，
bù不
néng能
wàng望
fēng风
bǔ捕
yǐng影
。
Detectives need evidence to handle cases; they cannot rely on speculation.