互相推诿 mutual shirking of responsibility
Explanation
互相推诿是指彼此之间互相推托责任,谁也不愿意承担。体现了推卸责任,缺乏担当的精神。
Mutual shirking of responsibility means that each other shirk responsibility, no one is willing to bear. It reflects the spirit of shirking responsibility and lack of responsibility.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期,长安城里有一家名为“醉仙楼”的酒楼,生意兴隆,老板李员外很是得意。一日,李员外发现酒楼的账目出现问题,少了一笔数目不小的银两。他立刻召集掌柜、账房先生和伙计们开会,追查丢失的银子。掌柜说账房先生管账,账房先生说伙计们收钱,伙计们则互相推诿,说是账房先生登记有误。李员外气得吹胡子瞪眼,这帮人互相推诿,谁也不肯承认错误,最终银子也没找回来,只能自认倒霉。这件事在长安城里传开了,大家都说“醉仙楼”的人互相推诿,实在是不负责任。
Once upon a time in the Tang Dynasty, there was a popular restaurant in Chang'an city called "Zui Xian Lou." One day, the owner, Mr. Li, discovered a problem with the restaurant's accounts – a considerable sum of silver was missing. He immediately called a meeting of the manager, accountant, and staff to investigate. The manager said the accountant was responsible for the books; the accountant blamed the staff, who in turn claimed the accountant had made errors in the recording. Mr. Li was furious. Everyone blamed each other; no one confessed to their mistake. Eventually, the silver was never recovered, and Mr. Li had to accept the loss. The story spread throughout Chang'an, and everyone said the people of "Zui Xian Lou" were irresponsible, simply passing the blame to one another.
Usage
用于形容人们互相推卸责任,不愿承担责任的行为。多用于负面场合。
Used to describe the behavior of people who shirk responsibility to each other and are unwilling to take responsibility. Mostly used in negative contexts.
Examples
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部门之间互相推诿责任,导致问题迟迟得不到解决。
bumen zhijian huxiang tuiwei zeren, daozhi wenti chichi de bu dao jiejue。
Departments shirk responsibility to each other, leading to the problem remaining unresolved.
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面对突发事件,他们互相推诿,没有一个人站出来承担责任。
mianduitufa shijian, tamen huxiang tuiwei, meiyou yigeren zhan chu lai chengdan zeren。
In the face of unexpected events, they shirk responsibility, with no one stepping forward to take charge.