1 everything in disorder (idiom); in a hideous mess
2 at sixes and sevens
乱臣贼子
luàn chén zéi zǐ
1 rebels and traitors (idiom)
2 general term for scoundrel
依样画葫芦
yī yàng huà hú lu
1 lit. to draw a gourd from the model (idiom)
2 fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality
依葫芦画瓢
yī hú lu huà piáo
1 lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as one's model (idiom)
2 fig. to follow the existing pattern without modification
兵荒马乱
bīng huāng mǎ luàn
1 soldiers munity and troops rebel (idiom); turmoil and chaos of war
凌乱不堪
líng luàn bù kān
1 in a terrible mess (idiom)
唯恐天下不乱
wéi kǒng tiān xià bù luàn
1 to wish for the whole world to be in chaos (idiom)
天花乱坠
tiān huā luàn zhuì
1 lit. a deluge of heavenly flowers (idiom)
2 fig. extravagant embellishments
3 hype
小不忍则乱大谋
xiǎo bù rěn zé luàn dà móu
1 (idiom) great plans can be ruined by just a touch of impatience
心乱如麻
xīn luàn rú má
1 one's thoughts in a whirl (idiom); confused
2 disconcerted
3 upset
心烦意乱
xīn fán yì luàn
1 lit. heart distracted, thoughts in turmoil (idiom); distraught with anxiety
快刀斩乱麻
kuài dāo zhǎn luàn má
1 lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (idiom); decisive action in a complex situation
2 cutting the Gordian knot
快刀断乱麻
kuài dāo duàn luàn má
1 lit. quick sword cuts through tangled hemp (idiom); decisive action in a complex situation
2 cutting the Gordian knot
指手画脚
zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎo
1 to gesticulate while talking (idiom)
2 to explain by waving one's hands
3 to criticize or give orders summarily
方寸大乱
fāng cùn dà luàn
1 (idiom) to become agitated
2 to get worked up
方寸已乱
fāng cùn yǐ luàn
1 (idiom) confused
2 troubled
3 bewildered
欢蹦乱跳
huān bèng luàn tiào
1 glowing with health and vivacity (idiom)
活蹦乱跳
huó bèng luàn tiào
1 to leap and frisk about (idiom); lively
2 healthy and active
照葫芦画瓢
zhào hú lu huà piáo
1 lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as a model (idiom)
2 fig. to copy slavishly
照猫画虎
zhào māo huà hǔ
1 lit. drawing a tiger using a cat as a model (idiom); fig. to follow a model and get things more or less right but without capturing the spirit of the subject