不知进退 bù zhī jìn tuì indiscretion

Explanation

不知道该如何前进或后退，比喻缺乏决断力，或言语行为没有分寸。

Not knowing whether to advance or retreat; a metaphor for lack of decisiveness, or words and deeds without measure.

Origin Story

话说三国时期，有一位年轻的将军，初次上战场，便率领士兵冲锋陷阵。他英勇无比，杀敌无数，但因经验不足，不知进退，最终陷入敌人的包围圈，损兵折将，险些丧命。事后，老将告诫他，战场之上，瞬息万变，需要谨慎小心，既要勇往直前，又要懂得适时撤退，才能最终取得胜利。切莫像你这样，只顾冲锋，不知进退，那只会导致全军覆没。

huà shuō sān guó shí qī, yǒu yī wèi nián qīng de jiāng jūn, chū cì shàng zhàn chǎng, biàn shuài lǐng shì bīng chōng fēng xiàn zhèn. tā yīng yǒng wú bǐ, shā dí wú shù, dàn yīn jīng yàn bù zú, bù zhī jìn tuì, zuì zhōng xiàn rù dí rén de bāo wéi quān, sǔn bīng zhé jiāng, xiǎn xiē sàng mìng. shì hòu, lǎo jiāng gào jiè tā, zhàn chǎng zhī shàng, shùn xī wàn biàn, xū yào jǐn shèn xiǎo xīn, jì yào yǒng wǎng zhí qián, yòu yào dǒng de shì shí chè tuì, cái néng zuì zhōng qǔ dé shèng lì. qiē mò xiàng nǐ zhè yàng, zhǐ gù chōng fēng, bù zhī jìn tuì, nà zhǐ huì dǎo zhì quán jūn fù mò

During the Three Kingdoms period, a young general, on his first battlefield experience, led his soldiers into a fierce battle. He fought bravely, killing countless enemies. But due to his inexperience, he lacked judgment and didn't know when to advance or retreat. Consequently, he was surrounded by the enemy, suffered heavy casualties, and narrowly escaped death. Later, an old general advised him that the battlefield is ever-changing, requiring caution. He needed to be both brave and know when to withdraw in order to achieve victory. Do not merely charge without discretion and proper judgment.

Usage

用于形容人做事或说话没有分寸，鲁莽冲动。

yòng yú xíngróng rén zuòshì huò shuōhuà méiyǒu fēn cùn, lǔmǎng chōngdòng

Used to describe someone who acts or speaks without measure, being reckless and impulsive.

Examples

• 他做事总是不知进退，让人很难相处。

  tā zuòshì zǒngshì bù zhī jìn tuì, ràng rén hěn nán xiāngchǔ

  He always acts without discretion, making it difficult to get along with him.

• 在谈判中，他不知进退，最终导致了失败。

  zài tánpàn zhōng, tā bù zhī jìn tuì, zuìzhōng dǎozhì le shībài

  In negotiations, his indiscretion led to failure.

• 这孩子说话不知进退，经常得罪人。

  zhè háizi shuōhuà bù zhī jìn tuì, jīngcháng dào fèi rén

  The child is tactless and often offends people.

Related Idioms

• 鲁莽

• 冒失

• 轻率

Opposite Idioms

• 八面玲珑

• 处事圆滑