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指手画脚

指手畫腳
zhǐshǒuhuàjiǎo
idiom HSK 7 #9,977

Meanings

  1. 1 to gesticulate while talking
  2. 2 to boss people around
  3. 3 to make critical remarks

Examples

他总喜欢对别人的事指手画脚。
Tā zǒng xǐhuan duì biérén de shì zhǐshǒuhuàjiǎo.
He always likes to boss others around about their affairs.
你自己都做不好，还指手画脚地批评别人。
Nǐ zìjǐ dōu zuò bù hǎo, hái zhǐshǒuhuàjiǎo de pīpíng biérén.
You can't even do it well yourself, yet you criticize others.

Tips

memory
Picture someone waving their hands (指手) and kicking their feet (画脚) while telling everyone else what to do -- a busybody gesturing wildly.
usage
Almost always used negatively, implying unwanted meddling or unsolicited criticism of others' affairs.

Stroke Order

指 zhǐ
手 shǒu
画 huà
脚 jiǎo