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Home / Idiom / 想方设法

to think up every possible method (idiom); to devise ways and means · to try this, that and the other

想方设法
xiǎng fāng shè fǎ
x+iǎng·3rd tonef+āng·1st tonesh+è·4th tonef+ǎ·3rd tone
IdiomHSK 7-9
Chain
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Examples1 available
She managed to finish the work on her own.
她想方设法以一己之力完成了工作。
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
lit. thousand ways, a hundred plans (idiom); by every possible means千方百计qiān fāng bǎi jìto dig for thoughts (idiom); to search everything for an answer · to rack one's brains挖空心思wā kōng xīn sito rack one's brains for schemes (idiom) · to beat one's brains out费尽心机fèi jìn xīn jīto try · to make an attempt · to think of a way (to accomplish sth)设法shè fǎto plot actively (idiom) · scheming · calculating处心积虑chǔ xīn jī lu:4
Antonyms
(lit.) to have no strategy to apply (idiom) · (fig.) to be out of ideas; at one's wit's end无计可施wú jì kě shī
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