长袖善舞

長袖善舞

chángxiù-shànwǔ

idiom

Meanings

1 skilled at social maneuvering
2 good at working the room
3 lit. long sleeves are good for dancing

Characters

Examples

HSK 5

她长袖善舞，很快打开了外交局面。

Tā chángxiù-shànwǔ, hěnkuài dǎkāi le wàijiāo júmiàn.

She was adept at diplomatic maneuvering and quickly opened up new relationships.

HSK 7-9

他在商界长袖善舞，人脉很广。

Tā zài shāngjiè chángxiù-shànwǔ, rénmài hěn guǎng.

He works the business world skillfully and has a wide network.

HSK 7-9

长袖善舞的人未必有真才实学。

Chángxiù-shànwǔ de rén wèibì yǒu zhēncái-shíxué.

Smooth social operators don't necessarily have real substance.

Tips

history

From 《韩非子·五蠹》: '长袖善舞，多钱善贾' - 'long sleeves help you dance, plenty of money helps you trade.' Originally described having resources to work with; modern usage emphasizes personal networking and social skill, sometimes with a hint of opportunism.

register

Can be complimentary (deft networker) or slightly pejorative (operator, schmoozer). Context decides.

Stroke Order

长 cháng

袖 xiù

善 shàn

舞 wǔ