疲于奔命

疲於奔命
píyú-bēnmìng
idiom #34,166

Meanings

  1. 1 worn out running errands (idiom)
  2. 2 constantly on the go; rushed off one's feet

Examples

HSK 5
Kèhù yāoqiú búduàn, xiāoshòu tuánduì píyú-bēnmìng.
With clients' demands never stopping, the sales team is run off its feet.
HSK 5
Tā měitiān zài jǐ gè xiàngmù zhījiān píyú-bēnmìng.
He runs ragged between several projects every day.

Tips

history
From 《左传·成公七年》: the Chu minister 巫臣 threatens 子重, 余必使尔罢于奔命以死 - "I will surely wear you out running commands until you die." The strategy worked - Chu was exhausted by constant border alarms.

Stroke Order

bēn
mìng