feign reluctance; half-heartedly decline
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to feign reluctance while actually being willing; to make a show of refusing what one actually desires
Describes coy or affected behavior where someone pretends to refuse an offer or invitation while actually wanting to accept. Often used to describe flirtatious or diplomatic behavior.
Tā她
bàn半
tuī推
bàn半
jiù就
de地
jiē接
shòu受
le了
tā他
de的
lǐ礼
wù物
。
She accepted his gift with feigned reluctance.
Duì对
yú于
zhè这
cì次
jìn晋
shēng升
，
tā他
bàn半
tuī推
bàn半
jiù就
，
zuì最
hòu后
hái还
shì是
dā答
ying应
le了
。
Regarding this promotion, he initially feigned reluctance but finally agreed.
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Tā她
bàn半
tuī推
bàn半
jiù就
de地
kào靠
zài在
tā他
de的
jiān肩
shang上
。
She leaned on his shoulder with coy hesitation.
Miàn面
duì对
yāo邀
qǐng请
，
tā他
cǎi采
qǔ取
bàn半
tuī推
bàn半
jiù就
de的
tài态
dù度
。
Faced with the invitation, he adopted an attitude of feigned reluctance.