千方百计

qiān fāng bǎi jì

  • Meaning

    Literal

    A thousand methods and a hundred plans

    Usage

    Refers to one trying to do something by every means possible

  • Connotation

    Neutral

  • Usage Examples

    医生千方百计想使他活下来，但无济于事 | Yīshēng qiānfāngbǎijì xiǎng shǐ tā huó xiàlái, dàn wújìyúshì
    The doctor tried everything they knew to keep him alive, but to no avail
    [Source]

    她千方百计要取得销售部经理的位置 | Tā qiānfāngbǎijì yào qǔdé xiāoshòu bù jīnglǐ de wèizhì
    She was doing everything she could possibly do to get the sales manager position
    [Source]

  • Equivalents

    English

    By every means possible

    Chinese

    None

  • Entry Notes

    This is an HSK chengyu

  • Origin

    《朱子语类》(Zhū Zi Yǔ Lèi), a work by Sòng Dynasty (宋, 960 - 1279) author 朱熹 (Zhū Xī)

  • Story

    This chengyu is from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above

  • Citations and Helpful Resources

    • 汉语成语小词典 (hànyǔ chéngyǔ xiǎo cídiǎn)
    • 现代汉语规范词典 (xiàndài hànyǔ guīfàn cídiǎn)
    • 多功能成语词典 (duō gōngnéng chéngyǔ cídiǎn)
    • 汉语大词典 (hànyǔ dà cídiǎn)
    • ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary
    • Pleco Basic Chinese-English Dictionary
    • 百度百科[x]