退缩 (tuì suō) — to shrink back, to cower, to back down
Definition
退缩 means shrinking back from fear, difficulty, or pressure — it's about a psychological withdrawal, not a physical one (use 后退 for physical retreat). Stronger than 畏缩, which is a quick involuntary flinch.
verb
to shrink backto cowerto back down
Examples
- ，退缩。Miàn duì yā lì, tā cóng bú tuì suō.He never shrinks back in the face of pressure.
- ，退缩。Zhè cì bǐ sài hěn jī liè, dàn méi yǒu yí gè xuǎn shǒu tuì suō.The competition was fierce, but none of the contestants backed down.
- 退缩，。Bié yīn wèi yí cì shī bài jiù tuì suō, zài shì yí cì ba.Don't shrink back just because of one failure; try again.
Appears in
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