The Chinese idiom 指手画脚 (zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎo) is formed through a parallel and metaphorical structure: 指手 (pointing with hands) and 画脚 (drawing with feet) are combined to create a vivid image. Literally describing animated and unnecessary gesturing, the compound figuratively means to criticize or offer unwanted advice in a bossy, carping manner, often without substantive involvement. The formation leverages two verb-object phrases to intensify the sense of superfluous physical action, which then extends to convey the abstract concept of making presumptuous comments or giving orders from the sidelines.