retreat into one's shell; hole up
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to retreat into one's shell; to hole up
derogatoryOften used to describe an enemy, opponent, or someone hiding out of fear, weakness, or to avoid confrontation. Conveys a sense of cowardice or being trapped.
Dí敌
jūn军
guī龟
suō缩
zài在
diāo碉
bǎo堡
lǐ里
，
bù不
gǎn敢
chū出
lái来
yìng应
zhàn战
。
The enemy forces holed up in the pillbox, not daring to come out and fight.
Yù遇
dào到
wèn问
tí题
jiù就
guī龟
suō缩
qǐ起
lái来
，
shì是
jiě解
jué决
bù不
liǎo了
shì事
qíng情
de的
。
Hiding in your shell when problems arise won't solve anything.
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Tā他
yīn因
wèi为
hài害
pà怕
shè社
jiāo交
，
zhěng整
gè个
zhōu周
mò末
dōu都
guī龟
suō缩
zài在
jiā家
lǐ里
。
Because he was afraid of socializing, he holed up at home all weekend.
Tán谈
pàn判
pò破
liè裂
hòu后
，
duì对
fāng方
dài代
biǎo表
guī龟
suō缩
zài在
jiǔ酒
diàn店
fáng房
jiān间
lǐ里
。
After the negotiations broke down, the opposing representatives holed up in their hotel rooms.