举足轻重

jǔ zú qīng zhòng

to carry decisive weight; pivotal

Character by character

举jǔ
lift

足zú
foot

轻qīng
light

重zhòng
heavy

上海在中国经济中的地位举足轻重。

Shanghai holds a pivotal place in China’s economy.

Tone: positive (praise).

One step either way tips the scales. Usually with 地位 or 作用.

Learn this in Lesson 1 · HSK 5: 中国的行政区划 (How the country is divided)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.