进退 (jìn tuì) — to advance and retreat (literally); to decide whether to stay or leave a job/position (figuratively)
Definition
Used almost entirely in set phrases like 进退两难 (dilemma) and 进退自如 (advance and retreat freely). The plain literal sense 'to advance or retreat' is rare; learners will meet it as part of these idioms.
verb
to advance and retreat (literally)to decide whether to stay or leave a job/position (figuratively)
Examples
- 。Jūn duì zài zhàn chǎng shàng jìn tuì zì rú.The army advances and retreats freely on the battlefield.
- ,。Tā mù qián jìn tuì liǎng nán, bù zhī dào gāi rú hé xuǎn zé.He is currently in a dilemma, not knowing how to choose.
- 进退。Tā hěn nán jué dìng shì jìn tuì hái shì děng dài.He finds it hard to decide whether to advance/retreat or wait.
Appears in
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