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xiǎng 想 fāng 方 shè 设 fǎ 法

想方设法 xiǎng fāng shè fǎ

to try every possible means; by hook or by crook

Literally: think ways devise methods

Beginner 🦉 Wisdom & judgement
🃏 Practise beginner chengyu

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. Modern colloquial expression.

How to use it

Adverbial before a verb; neutral. Often 想方设法解决/帮助.

Example sentences

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  1. 父母想方设法让孩子上最好的学校。
    Fùmǔ xiǎng fāng shè fǎ ràng háizi shàng zuì hǎo de xuéxiào.
    The parents try every possible means to get their child into the best school.
    parents think ways devise methods make child attend most good (particle) school
  2. 他想方设法给女朋友准备了一个特别的生日。
    Tā xiǎng fāng shè fǎ gěi nǚpéngyou zhǔnbèi le yī gè tèbié de shēngrì.
    He went to every length to prepare a special birthday for his girlfriend.
    he think ways devise methods for girlfriend prepare (particle) one (measure) special (particle) birthday

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