scratch one 's ears and cheeks in embarrassment

scratch one 's ears and cheeks in embarrassment

Scratching one's ear and scratching one's cheek is a Chinese idiom, pronounced "Zhu ā ě RN á OS ā I". It describes a person who is anxious, distressed, and in a hurry, who has nothing to do. It also describes a person who is happy but unable to support himself. It's from the second moment of surprise.

Analysis of Idioms

[synonym] rubbing one's hands and feet, feeling anxious and helpless

Idiom usage

When monkey king heard the story, he was very happy and smiling. Wu Chengen's journey to the West in Ming Dynasty

The origin of Idioms

Ling Mengchu of Ming Dynasty, Volume 11 of Er Ke Pai An Qi: "after listening to it, Dalao was so angry that he scratched his ears and gills. There was no place for him."