敬而远之 (jìng ér yuǎn zhī) — to keep a respectful distance; to stay away while remaining polite (idiom)
Definition
A formal chengyu meaning 'to keep a respectful distance' — you show outward respect or politeness while actually avoiding someone or something (e.g. gossips, sensitive topics). The stance is not hostile, just guarded.
phrase
to keep a respectful distanceto stay away while remaining polite (idiom)
Examples
- 敬而远之。Tā duì nà xiē ài bān nòng shì fēi de tóng shì zǒng shì jìng ér yuǎn zhī.He always keeps a respectful distance from those colleagues who like to gossip.
- ，敬而远之。Zhè zhǒng huà tí tài mǐn gǎn, dà jiā zuì hǎo jìng ér yuǎn zhī.This kind of topic is too sensitive; everyone had better keep a respectful distance.
- ，敬而远之。Suī rán wǒ bù tóng yì tā de zuò fǎ, dàn yě zhǐ néng jìng ér yuǎn zhī.Although I don't agree with his approach, I can only keep a respectful distance.
Appears in
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