please both sides; be slick
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to please both sides; to be slick and avoid offending anyone
informalUsually carries a slightly negative connotation, implying insincerity or a lack of principle. Often used to describe speech or behavior.
Tā他
shuō说
liǎng两
miàn面
guāng光
de的
huà话
shì是
pà怕
dé得
zuì罪
rén人
。
He says things that please both sides because he's afraid of offending people.
Tā他
chǔ处
lǐ理
jiū纠
fēn纷
shí时
zǒng总
shì是
xiǎng想
liǎng两
miàn面
guāng光
，
jié结
guǒ果
shéi谁
yě也
bù不
mǎn满
yì意
。
When mediating disputes, he always tries to please both sides, but in the end, no one is satisfied.
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Zhè这
zhǒng种
liǎng两
miàn面
guāng光
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
suī虽
rán然
ān安
quán全
，
dàn但
xiǎn显
de得
hěn很
méi没
lì立
chǎng场
。
This slick way of doing things is safe, but it makes one seem to have no principles.
Bié别
zhǐ指
wàng望
tā他
biǎo表
tài态
，
tā他
jiù就
shì是
yī一
gè个
liǎng两
miàn面
guāng光
de的
rén人
。
Don't expect him to take a stance; he's a person who always tries to please everyone.