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缩手缩脚 (suō shǒu suō jiǎo) — (idiom) to shrink from cold; to curl up due to cold; (idiom) to be overcautious; to act with excessive timidity

Definition

Literally 'shrink hands and feet,' this idiom means being timid or overcautious — pulling back from action rather than committing. In the first sense (curling up from cold) it is rare; the everyday meaning is excessive hesitation.

idiom
to shrink from coldto curl up due to coldto be overcautiousto act with excessive timidity

Examples

  • ，缩手缩脚。
    Tiān tài lěng le, dòng dé tā suō shǒu suō jiǎo de.
    It was so cold that he was shivering and curling up.
  • ，缩手缩脚。
    Zuò jué dìng shí yào guǒ duàn, bù néng suō shǒu suō jiǎo.
    When making decisions, you need to be decisive and not overcautious.
  • 缩手缩脚，。
    Tā zǒng shì zài guān jiàn shí kè suō shǒu suō jiǎo, cuò shī le hěn duō jī huì.
    He always hesitates at critical moments, missing many opportunities.

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