左顾右盼 zuǒ gù yòu pàn look left and right

Explanation

向左右两边看。形容人骄傲得意的神情，也形容犹豫不决或四处张望。

To look left and right. Describes a proud and self-satisfied expression, but also indecision or looking around.

Origin Story

话说古代，有一位年轻的书生，名叫李明。他高中状元后，被皇帝召见。走在金碧辉煌的宫殿里，李明既兴奋又紧张，他不时地左顾右盼，打量着周围的一切。高大的宫墙，雕梁画栋的屋宇，还有那些来来往往的宫女太监，都让他感到新奇。他甚至还偷偷地瞄了一眼龙椅，心里默默地想着：这龙椅真气派！等他将来做了宰相，也要坐上这样的龙椅！李明左顾右盼的举动，被一个老太监看到了。老太监笑眯眯地对他说："状元郎，您这是第一次进宫吧？不必紧张，慢慢欣赏这皇宫的美景吧！"李明这才意识到自己有些失态了，连忙收敛了神情，恭敬地向老太监道谢。

huà shuō gǔdài, yǒu yī wèi nián qīng de shūshēng, míng jiào lǐ míng。tā gāo zhōng zhuàngyuán hòu, bèi huángdì zhàojiàn。zǒu zài jīn bì huī huáng de gōngdiàn lǐ, lǐ míng jì xīngfèn yòu jǐn zhāng, tā bù shí de zuǒ gù yòu pàn, dǎ liang zhe zhōuwéi de yīqiè。gāo dà de gōng qiáng, diāo liáng huà dòng de wū yǔ, hái yǒu nàxiē lái lái wǎng wǎng de gōng nǚ tài jiān, dōu ràng tā gǎndào xīnqí。tā shènzhì hái tōutōu de miāo le yī yǎn lóng yǐ, xīn lǐ mòmò de xiǎng zhe: zhè lóng yǐ zhēn qìpài! děng tā jiāng lái zuò le zǎixiàng, yě yào zuò shang zhè yàng de lóng yǐ! lǐ míng zuǒ gù yòu pàn de jǔdòng, bèi yīgè lǎo tài jiān kàn dàole。lǎo tài jiān xiào mī mī de duì tā shuō: "zhuàngyuán láng, nín zhè shì dì yī cì jìn gōng ba？bù bì jǐn zhāng, màn man xīn shǎng zhè huáng gōng de měijǐng ba!" lǐ míng cái zhīdào zìjǐ yǒuxiē shītài le, liánmáng shōuliǎn le shénqíng, gōngjìng de xiàng lǎo tài jiān dào xiè。

It is said that in ancient times, there was a young scholar named Li Ming. After he passed the highest examination, he was summoned by the emperor. Walking in the magnificent palace, Li Ming was both excited and nervous. He kept looking left and right, observing everything around him. The tall palace walls, the elaborately decorated buildings, and the eunuchs and maidservants coming and going, all fascinated him. He even secretly glanced at the Dragon Throne, thinking to himself: This Dragon Throne is really imposing! When he becomes a prime minister in the future, he will also sit on such a throne! Li Ming's looking left and right was noticed by an old eunuch. The old eunuch smiled at him and said: "Mr. Top Scholar, is this your first time in the palace? Don't be nervous, just enjoy the beautiful scenery of this palace!" Li Ming then realized he was behaving inappropriately, quickly calmed himself down, and thanked the old eunuch politely.

Usage

常用来形容人犹豫不决或四处张望的神态。

cháng yòng lái xiāo rong rén yóuyù bù jué huò sì chù zhāng wàng de shéntài。

Often used to describe the expression of a person who is hesitant or looking around.

Examples

• 他左顾右盼地走在大街上，寻找着什么。

  tā zuǒ gù yòu pàn de zǒu zài dà jiē shang, xún zhǎo zhe shén me。

  He walked down the street, looking left and right, searching for something.

• 她站在舞台中央，左顾右盼，显得有些紧张。

  tā zhàn zài wǔ tái zhōng yāng, zuǒ gù yòu pàn, xiǎn de yǒu xiē jǐn zhāng。

  She stood in the center of the stage, looking left and right, appearing a little nervous.

Related Idioms

• 东张西望

• 瞻前顾后

Opposite Idioms

• 目不转睛

• 目不斜视