‘抖腿’ literally means ‘to shake the leg’ — ‘抖’ (dǒu) means ‘to shake, tremble, or jiggle’, and ‘腿’ (tuǐ) means ‘leg’. Together, they describe the involuntary or habitual motion of rapidly moving one’s leg up and down while seated, often as a sign of nervousness, impatience, restlessness, or anxiety. It’s a common physical behavior observed in everyday situations — during meetings, exams, waiting rooms, or even while watching TV.

This verb is used descriptively and often carries a subtle social connotation: while not inherently negative, frequent leg-shaking may be perceived as distracting, unprofessional, or a sign of poor self-regulation in formal settings. Unlike general movement verbs like ‘动’ (to move), ‘抖腿’ specifically emphasizes rhythmic, small-amplitude leg motion originating from the knee or hip, usually with the foot remaining off the floor.