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qī 七 shàng 上 bā 八 xià 下

七上八下 qī shàng bā xià

agitated; in a state of nervous suspense

Literally: seven up eight down

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. Used in Song-dynasty Buddhist records and Ming fiction, often as 十五个吊桶打水,七上八下 (fifteen buckets drawing water, seven up and eight down).

How to use it

Predicate, usually with 心里; negative. Often 心里七上八下的.

Example sentences

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  1. 等成绩的时候，我心里七上八下的。
    Děng chéngjì de shíhou, wǒ xīnlǐ qī shàng bā xià de.
    While waiting for the results my heart was in my mouth.
    wait result (particle) time, I heart-in seven up eight down (particle)
  2. 面试官一直不说话，他心里七上八下，不知道自己表现得怎么样。
    Miànshìguān yīzhí bù shuōhuà, tā xīnlǐ qī shàng bā xià, bù zhīdào zìjǐ biǎoxiàn de zěnmeyàng.
    The interviewer kept silent and he was on edge, not knowing how he had done.
    interviewer all-along not speak, he heart-in seven up eight down, not know self perform (particle) how

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