牽一髮而動全身 qiān yī fà ér dòng quán shēn

fig. a slight change will affect everything else

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. a slight change will affect everything else
  2. 2. lit. pull one hair and the whole body moves
  3. 3. the butterfly effect

Characters

Character Meaning
牽 qiān
to lead along; to pull (an animal on a tether); to draw in
一 yī HSK 1
one; 1; single
髮 fà
hair; Taiwan pr. fǎ
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
動 dòng
(of sth) to move; to set in movement; to stir (emotions)
全 quán HSK 4
all; whole; entire
身 shēn HSK 2
body; oneself; personally