摇身一变

搖身一變

yáoshēnyībiàn

idiom #25,686

Meanings

1 to transform oneself instantly
2 to take on a new identity
3 to undergo a sudden change

Characters

to change / to transform

Examples

他摇身一变，从穷小子变成了大老板。

Tā yáoshēn yī biàn, cóng qióng xiǎozi biàn chéng le dà lǎobǎn.

He transformed overnight from a poor young man into a big boss.

这个骗子摇身一变，换了个身份继续行骗。

Zhège piànzi yáoshēn yī biàn, huàn le gè shēnfèn jìxù xíngpiàn.

The fraudster assumed a new identity and continued his scams.

Tips

culture

The phrase originates from descriptions of mythological shapeshifters — characters in folk tales (like the Monkey King) who shake their body to transform instantly.

Stroke Order

摇 yáo

身 shēn

一 yī

变 biàn