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Chinese puzzle

idiom
Meaning

A senseless situation.


Examples
SIMPLE

This confusing contract is a real Chinese puzzle.

CONTEXTUAL

Trying to understand the new tax laws feels like a Chinese puzzle that nobody can solve.

COMPLEX

The political situation in the region remains a Chinese puzzle, defying every attempt at a logical explanation or peaceful resolution.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Chinese compliment

    A pretense of deference; a veiled or subtle insult.

  2. 02

    Chinese green

    Synonym of lokao.

  3. 03

    Chinese overtime

    Any form of overtime in which increasing the hours worked reduces the hourly rate.

  4. 04

    Chinese Wall

    An information barrier within an organization, designed to ensure internal confidentiality; frequently used to prevent conflicts of interest.

  5. 05

    Chinese water torture

    Any repeated irritation that builds to deliver cumulative damage.

  6. 06

    piece of the puzzle

    A clue that contributes to the solution of a mystery.

  7. 07

    puzzle out

    To figure out; to discover or find a solution to.

  8. 08

    puzzle over

    To think intensely and deeply about a confusing problem, situation, or question in an effort to understand it or to find a solution.

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