use both hands alternately; multitask
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesidiom
to use both hands alternately; to strike left and right; to alternate hands in performing an action
neutralOriginally from archery (drawing a bow with both hands). Often used literally for physical actions like drumming, slapping, or playing sports.
Tā他
zuǒ左
yòu右
kāi开
gōng弓
，
lún轮
liú流
qiāo敲
dǎ打
liǎng两
zhī只
gǔ鼓
。
He used both hands alternately, beating two drums in turn.
Pīng乒
pāng乓
qiú球
yùn运
dòng动
yuán员
zuǒ左
yòu右
kāi开
gōng弓
，
dǎ打
de得
duì对
shǒu手
cuò措
shǒu手
bù不
jí及
。
The table tennis player attacked left and right, catching his opponent off guard.
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Tā他
qì气
de得
zuǒ左
yòu右
kāi开
gōng弓
，
gěi给
le了
duì对
fāng方
liǎng两
gè个
ěr耳
guāng光
。
He was so angry that he slapped the other person on both cheeks.
idiom
to do several things simultaneously; to multitask; to handle multiple tasks at once
neutralMetaphorical extension referring to juggling multiple responsibilities or tasks efficiently.
Tā她
zuǒ左
yòu右
kāi开
gōng弓
，
yī一
biān边
jiē接
diàn电
huà话
yī一
biān边
huí回
fù复
yóu邮
jiàn件
。
She multitasked efficiently, answering the phone while replying to emails.
Mā妈
ma妈
zuǒ左
yòu右
kāi开
gōng弓
，
tóng同
shí时
zhào照
gù顾
liǎng两
gè个
hái孩
zi子
hái还
yào要
zuò做
fàn饭
。
Mom juggled multiple tasks, looking after two children while cooking at the same time.
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Tā他
zuǒ左
yòu右
kāi开
gōng弓
，
jì既
guǎn管
xiāo销
shòu售
yòu又
guǎn管
jì技
shù术
。
He handled both sales and technology simultaneously.