长吁短叹 [- - duǎn tàn]sigh deeply; heave sighs, short and long; moan and groan; sigh and moan [groan]; sigh incessantly; sobbing and sighing; sighs and groans; utter short sighs and long ones:
•¶ 他忽闻有人在牡丹亭畔长吁短叹。 Suddenly he heard a rustle in the peony pavilion and someone sighing deeply.