Phrases with the structure 东一A, 西一A and 一A, 右一A
Phrases like 东一A，西一A 
are set expressions. In the example construction, we replace “A” with a measure word.
“A” will be the same measure word in both places.
are set expressions. In the example construction, we replace “A” with a measure word.
“A” will be the same measure word in both places. Pay attention
We can use these phrases to express that something is messy, random or chaotic.
Here are some examples of these set expressions:
东一句，西一句 (babbling)
东一脚，西一脚
东一下，西一下 (when we speak about plans, actions)
(babbling)
东一脚，西一脚
东一下，西一下 (when we speak about plans, actions)Examples
听到爆炸的声音，她东一脚西一脚地赶回来了
When she heard the sound of the explosion, she paced quickly back and forth
tīng dào bàozhà de shēngyīn, tā dōng yì jiǎo xī yì jiǎo de gǎn huílái le
做什么事不能东一下西一下，应该有个计划
You can't just do it haphazardly. You should have some kind of plan
zuò shénme shì bù néng dōng yí xià xī yí xià, yīnggāi yǒu ge jìhuà
We also can use the construction 左一A，右一A to express the same meaning.
to express the same meaning. Pay attention
In this construction, we can replace “A” with a measure word and a noun.
Examples
姐姐左一个电话右一个电话地催我回家
My sister kept calling and urged me to go back home
jiějie zuǒ yí ge diànhuà yòu yí ge diànhuà de cuī wǒ huíjiā
那本书左一遍右一遍地看，看了三遍也看不够
I read that book over and over again, and I still couldn't get enough of it even after reading it three times
nà běn shū zuǒ yí biàn yòu yí biàn de kàn, kàn le sān biàn yě kàn búgòu