东…西…【dōng…xī…】

东…西… splits two related one-syllable verbs between 东 "east" and 西 "west". The directions stop meaning compass points: the frame says the action is scattered, going this way and that without order. Most uses are fixed four-character phrases.

The common ones:

• 东张西望 – look around in all directions
• 东奔西走 – rush about, travel all over
• 东拼西凑 – scrape together from here and there
• 东倒西歪 – lurch, lean every which way
• 东躲西藏 – hide here and there

Most of these describe disorder or restlessness – someone nervous, aimless or careless. 东奔西走 can also simply mean working hard and travelling a lot.

Making your own

In speech the frame is open with a doubled verb: 东看看西看看, 东摸摸西摸摸. With 一 + measure word it says things lie scattered around, or that someone talks in no order.

No object after the phrase

The four-character phrases are complete in themselves and take no object. Add 地 and a second verb that takes it.

• × 他东张西望他的朋友 → 他东张西望地找他的朋友