东歪西倒 tottering
Explanation
形容物体歪斜不稳的样子，也比喻人走路不稳，摇摇晃晃。
Describes the appearance of an object that is crooked and unstable, and also refers to a person walking unsteadily and swaying.
Origin Story
很久以前，在一个小山村里，住着一位年迈的木匠。他一生都在制作精美的木器，技艺高超，远近闻名。然而，随着年龄的增长，他的手也开始颤抖，制作木器时，常常力不从心。一天，他接到一个重要的订单，需要制作一个精巧的木制鸟笼。他本想拒绝，但想到这是他最后一次展示自己精湛技艺的机会，便欣然答应了。他花了几天几夜的时间，专心致志地工作着。起初，一切都很顺利，他那双颤抖的手，竟也配合默契，雕刻出栩栩如生的鸟儿，以及精密的榫卯结构。然而，随着工作的进行，他的体力渐渐不支，支撑鸟笼的支架开始东歪西倒。他几次想调整，可是却无力回天。最终，鸟笼没能完成，他颓唐地坐在椅子上，看着眼前散乱的木料，心中五味杂陈。他意识到，自己已经老了，再也不能像以前一样，随心所欲地完成各种精巧的木器制作了。从此以后，他放下手中的凿子，安享晚年，用自己的方式度过余生。
Long ago, in a small mountain village, lived an elderly carpenter. He had spent his entire life making exquisite wooden objects, his skills were renowned far and wide. However, as he grew older, his hands began to tremble, and making wooden objects often became too much for him. One day he received an important order, to make an exquisite wooden birdcage. He wanted to refuse, but remembering that this was his last chance to show his superb craftsmanship, he readily agreed. He spent several days and nights working on it diligently. At first, everything went smoothly; his trembling hands surprisingly cooperated, carving lifelike birds and precise mortise and tenon joints. However, as the work progressed, his energy gradually waned, and the frame of the birdcage began to wobble. He tried several times to adjust it, but to no avail. In the end, the birdcage was not completed; he sat dejectedly on his chair, looking at the scattered wood, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He realized that he was old and could no longer create intricate wooden objects as he had before. From that day on, he put down his chisel and enjoyed his old age, spending his remaining years in his own way.
Usage
多用于形容物体歪斜不稳，也可比喻人走路不稳或精神状态不佳。
Mostly used to describe that objects are unstable and crooked, but it can also be used to describe a person walking unsteadily or having a bad mental state.
Examples
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台风过后，树木东歪西倒。
taifeng guohou, shumu dongwai xidao
After the typhoon, the trees were leaning in all directions.
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喝醉酒后，他东歪西倒地走回家。
he zuijiuhou, ta dongwai xidaodi zouhuijia
After getting drunk, he staggered home.
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疲惫不堪的他，东歪西倒地躺在床上。
pibeikangkan de ta, dongwai xidaodi tangzaichuangg
Exhausted, he lay down on the bed, tossing and turning.