有板有眼

yǒubǎn-yǒuyǎn
idiom #46,839

Meanings

  1. 1 orderly and methodical
  2. 2 well-paced and rhythmical
  3. 3 (of speech or action) measured and proper

Examples

HSK 3
Xiǎopéngyou jiǎng gùshi jiǎng de yǒubǎn-yǒuyǎn.
The little kid tells stories with proper rhythm and pacing.
HSK 6
Tā zuòshì yǒubǎn-yǒuyǎn, cóngbù mǎhu.
He does things in a measured, methodical way and is never sloppy.
HSK 7-9
Xīn yuángōng xiě bàogào xiě de yǒubǎn-yǒuyǎn, ràng rén guāmù-xiāngkàn.
The new hire writes reports in such a polished, methodical way that people sit up and take notice.

Tips

culture
板 and 眼 originally refer to the strong and weak beats in Chinese opera (板眼 = beat/measure). Doing something 有板有眼 is doing it on the beat - exactly right.
memory
Think of it like 'has the beat, has the offbeat' - perfectly in time.

Stroke Order

有 yǒu
板 bǎn
眼 yǎn