羞于启齿 (xiū yú qǐ chǐ) — to be too embarrassed to speak one's mind; to be too shy to say something
Definition
A set phrase meaning 'too embarrassed to bring something up' — usually about a sensitive request or admission that feels shameful to voice.
idiom
to be too embarrassed to speak one's mindto be too shy to say something
Examples
- 羞于启齿，。Tā duì zì jǐ de guò qù xiū yú qǐ chǐ, hěn shǎo tí qǐ.He is too embarrassed about his past to talk about it and rarely brings it up.
- ，羞于启齿。Yǒu xiē wèn tí, jí shǐ shì duì jiā rén yě xiū yú qǐ chǐ.There are some questions that one is too embarrassed to ask even to family members.
- 羞于启齿。Tā xiū yú qǐ chǐ xiàng péng you jiè qián.He was too ashamed to borrow money from his friends.
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