怵目驚心 chù mù jīng xīn

lit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart (idiom); shocking

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart (idiom); shocking
  2. 2. horrible to see
  3. 3. a ghastly sight
  4. 4. also written 觸目驚心chù mù jīng xīn

Characters

Character Meaning
怵 chù
to fear; fearful; timid
目 mù HSK 3
eye; item; list
驚 jīng
to be frightened; to be scared; to startle
心 xīn HSK 3
heart; mind; intention