非此即彼 (fēi cǐ jí bǐ) — either this or that; one or the other (binary choice, no middle ground)
Definition
Literally 'if not this, then that' — a binary choice between two options with no middle ground. Often used when rejecting the framing, as in the example showing a third option exists.
idiom
either this or thatone or the other (binary choice, no middle ground)
Examples
- 非此即彼，。Zhè ge wèn tí bú shì fēi cǐ jí bǐ, hái yǒu dì sān zhǒng bàn fǎ.This problem isn't either-or; there's a third way.
- 非此即彼，。Zài fēi cǐ jí bǐ de xuǎn zé zhōng, wǒ men bì xū jǐn shèn kǎo lǜ.In an either-or choice, we must consider carefully.
- ，。Tā de sī wéi shì fēi cǐ jí bǐ de, méi yǒu zhōng jiān dì dài.His thinking is binary, with no middle ground.
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