lose nerve before battle; stage fright
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to feel afraid or nervous before going into battle
formalLiterally refers to losing courage right before a battle. Can be used in both historical/military contexts and metaphors for general pre-action anxiety.
Tā他
suī虽
rán然
xùn训
liàn练
yǒu有
sù素
，
dàn但
chū初
cì次
chū出
zhàn战
，
nán难
miǎn免
yǒu有
diǎn点
qiè怯
zhèn阵
。
Although well-trained, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous before his first battle.
Jiāng将
jūn军
gǔ鼓
wǔ舞
shì士
qì气
，
ràng让
shì士
bīng兵
men们
bù不
zài再
qiè怯
zhèn阵
。
The general boosted the troops' morale so they would no longer be afraid to fight.
verb
to have stage fright; to get nervous before performing
neutralExtended metaphorical meaning used in non-military contexts like public speaking, performances, exams, or competitions.
Tā她
jīng经
yàn验
fēng丰
fù富
，
dēng登
tái台
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
cóng从
bù不
qiè怯
zhèn阵
。
She is experienced and never gets stage fright when giving a speech.
Miàn面
shì试
zhī之
qián前
tā他
yǒu有
diǎn点
qiè怯
zhèn阵
，
hē喝
kǒu口
shuǐ水
cái才
lěng冷
jìng静
xià下
lái来
。
He felt a bit nervous before the job interview and calmed down after drinking some water.
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Zhè这
wèi位
gē歌
shǒu手
miàn面
duì对
shàng上
wàn万
guān观
zhòng众
yě也
háo毫
bù不
qiè怯
zhèn阵
。
This singer doesn't get stage fright even when facing tens of thousands of audience members.