hesitate; waver; be indecisive
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to waver between two sides; to be indecisive; to hesitate
formalOriginally from the Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·魏其武安侯列传》), describing someone who cannot decide between two opposing positions or courses of action. Often used to criticize someone who tries to please both sides or lacks the courage to commit to a decision.
Tā他
zài在
liǎng两
gè个
gōng工
zuò作
jī机
huì会
zhī之
jiān间
shǒu首
shǔ鼠
liǎng两
duān端
，
chí迟
chí迟
wú无
fǎ法
zuò做
chū出
jué决
dìng定
。
He wavered between two job offers, unable to make a decision for a long time.
Miàn面
duì对
qiáng强
dí敌
，
tā他
shǒu首
shǔ鼠
liǎng两
duān端
，
jì既
xiǎng想
tóu投
xiáng降
yòu又
bù不
gǎn敢
gōng公
kāi开
pàn叛
biàn变
。
Faced with a powerful enemy, he vacillated, wanting to surrender yet not daring to openly rebel.
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Zuò做
lǐng领
dǎo导
zuì最
jì忌
huì讳
shǒu首
shǔ鼠
liǎng两
duān端
，
ràng让
xià下
shǔ属
bù不
zhī知
suǒ所
cuò措
。
The worst thing for a leader is to waver between two sides, leaving subordinates confused about what to do.
Zài在
zhè这
gè个
wèn问
tí题
shàng上
，
nǐ你
bì必
xū须
biǎo表
míng明
lì立
chǎng场
，
bù不
néng能
shǒu首
shǔ鼠
liǎng两
duān端
。
On this issue, you must state your position clearly and cannot sit on the fence.