束手缚脚 tied hands and feet
Explanation
捆住手脚，形容胆子小，顾虑多。
To have one's hands and feet tied; describes someone with little courage and many worries.
Origin Story
从前，在一个偏僻的小村庄里，住着一位名叫阿福的年轻人。阿福生性胆小，做什么事情都畏首畏尾，总是瞻前顾后，生怕出错。村里要选拔一位青年去县城参加比赛，这是一个难得的机会，但是阿福却犹豫不决。他的父母鼓励他，可是阿福仍然束手缚脚，不敢放手一搏。最后，机会被别人抢走了，阿福只能眼睁睁地看着别人去实现梦想，自己却留在了原地。他后悔莫及，决心改变自己胆小怕事的性格。他开始尝试做一些以前不敢做的事情，慢慢地，他变得越来越勇敢，越来越自信。最终，他克服了内心的恐惧，走出了胆小的阴影，成为了一个勇敢自信的人。
Once upon a time, in a remote village, there lived a young man named Afu. Afu was timid by nature, and he was always hesitant and cautious in everything he did, always looking before and after, afraid of making mistakes. The village was to select a young man to participate in a competition in the county town, a rare opportunity, but Afu hesitated. His parents encouraged him, but Afu remained hesitant, not daring to take a chance. In the end, the opportunity was seized by others, and Afu could only watch others realize their dreams, while he remained in place. He deeply regretted it and decided to change his timid and fearful personality. He began to try things he had not dared to do before, and slowly, he became more and more courageous and confident. Finally, he overcame his inner fear, walked out of the shadow of timidity, and became a brave and confident man.
Usage
作谓语、定语；比喻做事过分小心，不敢放手。
Predicate, attributive; a metaphor for someone who is overly cautious and does not dare to let go.
Examples
-
他做事总是束手束脚，缺乏果断性。
tā zuòshì zǒngshì shùshǒu shùjiǎo, quēfá guǒduàn xìng。
He is always timid and indecisive in his work.
-
面对突如其来的问题，他束手缚脚，不知所措。
miànduì tūrú'ér lái de wèntí, tā shùshǒu fùjiǎo, bùzhī suǒ cuò
Faced with unexpected problems, he was at a loss, unable to act decisively .