Definition
缩头 (literally 'to shrink one's head') is a separable verb (离合词) meaning to be timid, fainthearted, or to shrink from responsibility. It is often used in negative contexts to criticize someone for avoiding duties. The standard pronunciation is suō tóu, though the source lists sù. As a separable verb, you can insert aspect markers or measure words between 缩 and 头, e.g., 缩了头 (suō le tóu) 'shrunk one's head' or 缩过一次头 (suō guò yí cì tóu) 'once shrank from responsibility'.
v.o.
to be timid and shrink from responsibility
Examples
- 。Tā yùdào wèntí jiù suō le tóu.He shrinks from responsibility whenever he faces a problem.
- 。Suō zhe tóu jiějué bù liǎo rènhé wèntí.Shrinking your head won't solve any problems.
- 。Tā cónglái méiyǒu suō guò yí cì tóu.He has never once shrunk from responsibility.
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