The formation of 矫揉造作 derives from the literal meanings of its constituent characters: 矫 (to straighten or correct), 揉 (to knead or shape), 造 (to make), and 作 (to do or act). Originally referring to the manual straightening and bending of wood, the term 矫揉 combines to depict physical alteration, while 造作 signifies artificial fabrication. Together, they create a compound idiom that metaphorically represents the affected and unnatural modification of natural behavior.