绞尽脑汁
jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī
Intense mental effort · trad. 絞盡腦汁
Someone who 绞尽脑汁 (jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī) is thinking extremely hard, often to solve a difficult problem or come up with a creative solution. It describes a situation where a person is exerting maximum mental effort, pushing their mind to its limits.
What does 绞尽脑汁 (jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī) mean?
绞尽脑汁 (jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī) means "intense mental effort" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "wring out brain juice."
Character by character
- 绞 jiǎo twist; wring
- 尽 jìn exhaust; use up
- 脑 nǎo brain
- 汁 zhī juice; liquid
When to use it
Chinese speakers use this idiom to convey the strenuous process of deep thought or brainstorming. It applies to tasks requiring significant intellectual exertion, such as strategizing, inventing, or finding answers to complex challenges.
Example
即使他绞尽脑汁,到最后仍是枉费心机。
Jíshǐ tā jiǎo jìn nǎo zhī, dào zuìhòu réng shì wǎngfèixīnjī.
Even if he racks his brains, it will still be a wasted effort in the end.
Pro tip: The phrase highlights the extreme degree of mental effort, implying that someone has explored every possible thought and angle to the point of mental exhaustion.
Related idioms
见机行事 · Acting on opportunity将心比心 · Practicing empathy脚踏实地 · Practical and steady progress
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