搖身一變

to change shape in a single shake / fig. to take on a new lease of life

one / single / a (article) / as soon as / entire; whole; all; throughout / "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) / also pr. [yao1] for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit

body / life / oneself / personally / one's morality and conduct / the main part of a structure or body / pregnant / classifier for sets of clothes: suit, twinset / Kangxi radical 158

surname Yao

to shake / to rock / to row / to crank

lit. to shake one's body / refers to abrupt transformation / same as 搖身一變|摇身一变

to change / to become different / to transform / to vary / rebellion