The grammar of 東/东 V 西 V has 3 different meanings, depending on whether the order and two verbs you use are the same or not. And notice that all the verbs must be one-syllable verbs.
Structure
東/东 + V + 西 + V
This structure can be used if want to say you are “verbing without a clear direction.” It’s sort of like “verbing this way and that. And just like another structure from HSK5: V 來/来 V 去
我東看西看也沒看到什麼想買的東西
我东看西看也没看到什么想买的东西
Wǒ dōngkàn xīkàn yě méi kàndào shénme xiǎng mǎi de dōngxī.
Wǒ dōngkàn xīkàn yě méi kàndào shénme xiǎng mǎi de dōngxi.
I looked around and did not see anything I wanted to buy.
孩子們東跑西跑的，體力真好
孩子们东跑西跑的，体力真好
Háizimen dōngpǎo xīpǎo de, tǐlì zhēn hǎo.
The children are running around, they are full of energy!
乘務員的工作總是要東飛西飛，沒辦法在一個國家太久
乘务员的工作总是要东飞西飞，没办法在一个国家太久
Chéngwùyuán de gōngzuò zǒngshì yào dōngfēi xīfēi, méibànfǎ zài yíge guójiā tài jiǔ.
The job of a flight attendant is always to fly back and forth. They can not stay in a country for a long time.
東/东 + V1 + 西 + V2
This structure can be used if want to say you are “verbing around for a clear goal.” Unlike the above one, this structure must have different verbs but the same meaning. For example, 東張西望/东张西望 dōngzhāng xīwàng is a bit like “looking around far away for seeking a specific thing.” And both 。張/张zhāng and 望wàng mean ‘look far away’.
她買東西就喜歡東挑西選，確保自己買的那個是最好的
她买东西就喜欢东挑西选，确保自己买的那个是最好的
Tā mǎi dōngxī jiù xǐhuān dōngtiāo xīxuǎn, quèbǎo zìjǐ mǎide nàge shì zuìhǎode.
Tā mǎi dōngxi jiù xǐhuān dōngtiāo xīxuǎn, quèbǎo zìjǐ mǎide nàge shì zuìhǎode.
She likes to shop around to make sure she buys the best one.
為了買到演唱會的票我東奔西跑，真是累死我了
为了买到演唱会的票我东奔西跑，真是累死我了
Wèile mǎidào yǎnchànghuì de piào wǒ dōngbēn xīpǎo, zhēnshì lèisǐ wǒle.
In order to get tickets for the concert I ran all over the place. I am really exhausted.
小偷在這個家東翻西找，還是找不到值錢的東西
小偷在这个家东翻西找，还是找不到值钱的东西
Xiǎotōu zài zhège jiā dōngfān xīzhǎo, háishì zhǎobúdào zhíqián de dōngxī.
Xiǎotōu zài zhège jiā dōngfān xīzhǎo, háishì zhǎobúdào zhíqián de dōngxi.
The thief looked around this house but still could not find anything valuable.
他因為偷了東西，開始了東躲西藏的人生
他因为偷了东西，开始了东躲西藏的人生
Tā yīnwèi tōule dōngxī, kāishǐle dōngduǒ xīcáng de rénshēn.
Tā yīnwèi tōule dōngxi, kāishǐle dōngduǒ xīcáng de rénshēn.
He started a life of hiding because he stole something.
(In this sentence, the thief is trying to seek a place that is safe for him to hind himself.)
V + 東/东 + V + 西
This pattern indicates you are “verbing something in vain” or “no value to doing.” It is a common term in spoken Chinese that indicates a tone of dissatisfaction or annoyance.
你別跟我說東說西，我只想知道你為什麼昨晚沒回家
你别跟我说东说西，我只想知道你为什么昨晚没回家
Nǐ bié gēn wǒ shuōdōng shuōxī, wǒ zhǐxiǎng zhīdào nǐ wèishéme zuówǎn méi huíjiā.
Stop talking nonsense to me. I just want to know why you didn’t come home last night.
你別想東想西擔心太多，很多事本來就是無法先準備的
你别想东想西担心太多，很多事本来就是无法先准备的
Nǐ bié xiǎngdōng xiǎngxī dānxīn tàiduō, hěnduō shì běnlái jiùshì wúfǎ xiān zhǔnbèi de.
Don’t worry too much about what you’re thinking about. There are many things you can’t prepare in advance.
你現在吃東吃西的，晚餐時間就不要跟我說你吃不下
你现在吃东吃西的，晚餐时间就不要跟我说你吃不下
Nǐ xiànzài chīdōng chīxī de, wǎncān shíjiān jiù búyào gēn wǒ shuō nǐ chībúxià.
You’re eating (many snacks) now, then don’t tell me you can’t eat at dinnertime.
你在公司做東做西，老闆也沒打算幫你加薪，還是換公司吧
你在公司做东做西，老板也没打算帮你加薪，还是换公司吧
Nǐ zài gōngsī zuòdōng zuòxī, lǎobǎn yě méi dǎsuàn bāngnǐ jiāxīn, háishì huàn gōngsī ba.
You do a lot of chores in the company, and the boss does not plan to raise your salary. You’d better change the company.
