畏首畏尾 (wèi shǒu wèi wěi) — timid and overcautious, too full of misgivings to act

Definition

Examples

• 他做事总是畏首畏尾，不敢承担任何风险。
  Tā zuò shì zǒng shì wèi shǒu wèi wěi, bù gǎn chéng dān rèn hé fēng xiǎn.
  He is always overly cautious and afraid to take any risks.
• 在这个竞争激烈的行业，不能畏首畏尾，要敢于尝试新方法。
  Zài zhè ge jìng zhēng jī liè de háng yè, bù néng wèi shǒu wèi wěi, yào gǎn yú cháng shì xīn fāng fǎ.
  In this fiercely competitive industry, you can't be too timid; you have to dare to try new approaches.
• 领导批评他畏首畏尾，缺乏果断的决策能力。
  Lǐng dǎo pī píng tā wèi shǒu wèi wěi, quē fá guǒ duàn de jué cè néng lì.
  The leader criticized him for being overcautious and lacking decisive decision-making ability.