裹足不前 (guǒ zú bù qián) — to hesitate to advance; to stop in one's tracks (out of fear or reluctance)
Definition
An idiom meaning to stop moving forward because of fear or doubt. Conveys active hesitation and self-imposed paralysis, stronger than simply ‘waiting.’
idiom
to hesitate to advanceto stop in one's tracks (out of fear or reluctance)
Examples
- ，裹足不前。Miàn duì kùn nan, wǒ men bù néng guǒ zú bù qián.We cannot hesitate to move forward when facing difficulties.
- 裹足不前。Tā yīn wéi hài pà shī bài ér guǒ zú bù qián.He stopped in his tracks because he was afraid of failure.
- 裹足不前，。Gōng sī zài xīn shì chǎng shàng guǒ zú bù qián, cuò shī le hěn duō jī huì.The company hesitated to advance in the new market and missed many opportunities.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.