面面俱到

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: miàn miàn jù dào
• English Translation: Attending to every detail (covering all bases)
• Idiom Composition: 「面面」（every side or all aspects）＋「俱」（all or completely）＋「到」（to reach or arrive at）
• Meaning: A state where every aspect of a matter is considered or handled without omission. Depending on the context, it can be a compliment for being thorough or a criticism for being spread too thin and lacking focus.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「面面俱到」 contains the following nuances:

• Comprehensiveness and Meticulousness: Literally meaning 'every face (面面 miàn miàn) is reached (到 dào),' it indicates a state where preparations or considerations are exhaustive and without gaps.
• Dual Evaluation: While it is positive when applied to 'generous service' or 'perfect planning,' it becomes negative in the context of writing or speeches where 'trying to include everything' causes the focus to become blurred.

3. Usage

「面面俱到」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Positive: Meticulous Care and Service: Used to praise hospitality, preparation, or arrangements that are perfect and attentive to the smallest details.
  • Example:「这家酒店的服务真是面面俱到，让人感到宾至如归。」
    （The service at this hotel is truly attending to every detail, making guests feel right at home.）
• Negative: Lacking Focus or Depth: Used to criticize arguments or writing that try to include too much, resulting in a lack of clear priorities or a central message.
  • Example:「写文章要突出重点，想面面俱到反而会流于平庸。」
    （When writing an article, you should highlight the key points; trying to cover everything will only lead to mediocrity.）
• Social Strategy: People-Pleasing: Refers to someone who acts very smoothly in social situations, trying to satisfy everyone to avoid offending anyone.
  • Example:「他办事圆滑，总是希望能做到面面俱到，谁也不得罪。」
    （He handles matters smoothly, always hoping to please everyone so as not to offend anyone.）

Additional Examples:

1. 作为一个项目经理，考虑问题必须面面俱到。
   （As a project manager, one must consider every aspect when thinking through problems.）
2. 这次活动的安排虽然细致，但也很难做到让每个人都觉得面面俱到。
   （Although the arrangements for this event were meticulous, it is still difficult to make everyone feel that it was perfectly handled.）
3. 他在演讲中试图面面俱到，结果导致超时严重。
   （He tried to cover all the bases in his speech, which resulted in a serious overtime.）
4. 要想面面俱到是不可能的，我们必须有所取舍。
   （It is impossible to do everything perfectly; we must make choices and trade-offs.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese social contexts, 面面俱到 (miàn miàn jù dào) is often linked to the concept of 圆滑 (yuán huá), or 'social smoothness.' This reflects a traditional value of maintaining harmony by ensuring everyone's feelings are considered.
• In professional or academic settings, be cautious when using this idiom. It is frequently used as a polite way to say a proposal is 'too broad' or 'lacks a specific point of view.'

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 八面玲珑 (bā miàn líng lóng): Being smooth and tactful with everyone; often carries a slightly negative nuance of being a 'slick' people-pleaser.
  • 包罗万象 (bāo luó wàn xiàng): All-encompassing or covering a vast range of things; used for rich and diverse content.
  • 无微不至 (wú wēi bù zhì): To be meticulous and considerate in every possible way.link
  • 一应俱全 (yī yīng jù quán): Everything is complete and available.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 顾此失彼 (gù cǐ shī bǐ): To attend to one thing and lose sight of another; being unable to manage multiple things at once.
  • 挂一漏万 (guà yī lòu wàn): To mention one but miss ten thousand; often used as a humble way to say one's explanation was incomplete.
  • 丢三落四 (diū sān là sì): To be forgetful and always misplacing things.link
  • 粗心大意 (cū xīn dà yi): Careless and negligent.link

6. Summary

面面俱到 (miàn miàn jù dào) describes a situation where every side is reached. While it serves as high praise for meticulous service or planning, it can also be used critically to describe a plan or speech that is too broad and lacks a clear focus. Understanding the context is key to determining if it is a compliment or a critique.