手舞足蹈

shǒuwǔ-zúdǎo
idiom #22,744

Meanings

  1. 1 to dance for joy
  2. 2 to gesticulate excitedly
  3. 3 to be so happy one's hands and feet move involuntarily

Examples

HSK 2
Háizi men shōudào lǐwù hòu gāoxìng de shǒuwǔ-zúdǎo.
The children were so happy after receiving gifts that they danced about with glee.
HSK 4
Tīngdào huòjiǎng xiāoxi, tā jīdòng de shǒuwǔ-zúdǎo.
Upon hearing the news that he had won, he was so excited he was jumping for joy.

Tips

memory
The idiom pictures the body in full joyful motion: (hands) (dancing) (feet) (stomping/dancing). All four limbs in motion = uncontainable excitement. Picture a child doing a happy dance.

Stroke Order

shǒu
dǎo