嗷嗷待哺
áo áo dài bǔ
ZH
crying piteously for food; in urgent need of help or support
灾区有许多嗷嗷待哺的孩子，急需食物和药品。
There are many children in the disaster area crying for food and urgently needing food and medicine.
Etymology
This idiom comes from classical Chinese descriptions of young birds or infants making crying sounds while waiting to be fed. “嗷嗷” imitates a crying sound, “待” means “to wait,” and “哺” means “to feed.”
Memory Aid
Imagine baby birds going “áo áo” with open mouths, waiting to be fed; this helps remember the meaning of helpless beings urgently needing care.
Collocations
嗷嗷待哺的婴儿嗷嗷待哺的孩子嗷嗷待哺的灾民
Synonyms
饥寒交迫哀鸿遍野
Antonyms
丰衣足食安居乐业
Related Words
哺育饥饿求助
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