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不知所措

bù zhī suǒ cuò

at a loss

Character by character

不bù
not
知zhī
know
所suǒ
what
措cuò
to do

Example

突然被老师提问,他不知所措。
Suddenly called on by the teacher, he didn't know what to do.

Tone: neutral.

Usage and origin

Often after 让人 or 一时; 措 means 'to handle'.

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