keep a moderate distance; neither too close nor too distant
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
keep a moderate distance; be neither too intimate nor too aloof
formalUsed to describe maintaining a balanced, proper distance in interpersonal relationships, often to avoid offense or overfamiliarity.
Tā他
duì对
tóng同
shì事
zǒng总
shì是
bù不
jí即
bù不
lí离
，
bǎo保
chí持
zhe着
qià恰
dàng当
de的
jù距
lí离
。
He always maintains a proper distance from his colleagues, being neither too close nor too distant.
Zài在
wài外
jiāo交
guān关
xì系
zhōng中
，
liǎng两
guó国
cǎi采
qǔ取
le了
bù不
jí即
bù不
lí离
de的
cè策
lüè略
。
In their diplomatic relations, the two countries have adopted a strategy of keeping a moderate distance.
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Tā他
duì对
zhè这
fèn份
gǎn感
qíng情
de的
tài态
dù度
shì是
bù不
jí即
bù不
lí离
，
ràng让
rén人
zhuó琢
mo磨
bú不
tòu透
。
His attitude towards this relationship is neither too close nor too distant, making him hard to figure out.
Hǎo好
de的
guǎn管
lǐ理
zhě者
yīng应
gāi该
duì对
xià下
shǔ属
bù不
jí即
bù不
lí离
，
jì既
guān关
xīn心
yòu又
bú不
guò过
fèn分
gàn干
yù预
。
A good manager should keep a moderate distance from subordinates, showing concern without excessive interference.