左思右想 think over and over
Explanation
形容反复思考，多方面地考虑问题。
To describe repeated thinking and consideration of a problem from multiple perspectives.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，一位名叫李白的诗人，正准备参加科举考试。然而，这次考试的题目却让他百思不得其解。题目是：如何治理国家，才能使百姓安居乐业，国家繁荣昌盛？李白在考场里，左思右想，翻阅了大量的书籍，查阅了大量的史料，苦思冥想，希望能找到答案。他想了又想，却仍然找不到一个让他满意的答案。他一会儿觉得这个办法可行，一会儿又觉得那个办法可行，心里七上八下的，难以抉择。就这样，他一直左思右想，一直到考试结束，都没有想出一个让他满意的答案。最后，李白交了一张白卷。虽然这次考试没有考好，但是李白的诗歌却名扬天下。
During the Tang Dynasty, a poet named Li Bai was preparing for the imperial examinations. However, the exam question baffled him: How to govern a country so that the people live in peace and prosperity? Li Bai, in the examination hall, pondered over the question. He read many books and consulted a large number of historical materials, hoping to find an answer. But he still couldn't find a satisfactory answer. Sometimes he thought one method might work, and sometimes another. He was indecisive. In the end, he handed in a blank paper. Although he did not do well in the exam, Li Bai's poetry became famous.
Usage
作谓语、定语；形容反复思考。
Used as a predicate or attributive; describes repeated thinking.
Examples
-
他左思右想，终于想出了一个好办法。
tā zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng, zhōngyú xiǎng chūle yīgè hǎo bànfǎ.
After much deliberation, he finally came up with a good solution.
-
这个问题太复杂了，我左思右想，还是没有答案。
zhège wèntí tài fùzá le, wǒ zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng, háishi méiyǒu dá'àn
This problem is too complicated; I've thought about it a lot, but I still don't have an answer