Putting them all together, 敷衍了事 (fūyǎnliǎoshì) literally translates to “to finish a matter in a superficial, spread-thin way.” It paints a vivid picture of someone just going through the motions.
In a culture that deeply values diligence (`勤奋`), responsibility (`责任感`), and craftsmanship (`工匠精神`), 敷衍了事 is a potent criticism. It's the antithesis of the ideal worker or partner. To accuse someone of this is to question their professionalism, their attitude, and even their character. A useful Western comparison is the phrase “to phone it in” or “to mail it in.” Both describe a lack of effort and enthusiasm. However, 敷衍了事 can carry a stronger weight of neglecting one's duty. While “phoning it in” might just imply boredom or burnout, 敷衍了事 often suggests a more conscious disregard for the expectations of the role, whether it's an employee's duty to their company, a business's duty to its customers, or a government official's duty to the public. It's a failure to meet a social and professional obligation, which can be seen as a sign of disrespect.
This idiom is extremely common and always carries a negative connotation. It's used as a criticism or a self-deprecating admission of poor performance.