畏缩不前 shrink back
Explanation
形容害怕退缩，不敢前进的样子。表示胆小怕事，缺乏勇气和魄力。
To describe someone who is afraid to retreat and does not dare to move forward. It shows cowardice, lack of courage and determination.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，边关告急，敌军来势汹汹，大将李靖下令全军出击。年轻的士兵小张，自幼体弱，胆小怕事，面对即将到来的战斗，他心生畏惧，手脚冰凉，两腿发软，几次想偷偷溜走，但终究没有勇气。他畏缩不前，躲在队伍的最后面，战战兢兢，不敢向前一步。看着身边的战友们个个英勇无畏，他更加羞愧难当。战争结束后，李靖将小张叫到营帐，语重心长地对他说："大丈夫当顶天立地，保家卫国，怎么能畏缩不前？"小张羞愧地低下了头，决心以后要勇敢起来，不再畏缩不前。
In the Tang Dynasty, the border was in a state of emergency, and the enemy troops were approaching menacingly. General Li Jing ordered the entire army to attack. A young soldier, Xiao Zhang, who was physically weak and timid since childhood, felt fear in the face of the impending battle. His hands and feet were cold, his legs weak, and he tried several times to sneak away, but ultimately lacked the courage. He shrank back, hiding at the back of the formation, trembling and not daring to step forward. Seeing that his fellow soldiers were brave and fearless, he felt even more ashamed. After the war, Li Jing summoned Xiao Zhang to his tent and said solemnly: "A true man should stand tall and protect his country. How can he shrink back?" Xiao Zhang hung his head in shame, determined to be brave from then on and never shrink back again.
Usage
常用于形容人在遇到困难或挑战时，缺乏勇气和信心，不敢前进。
Often used to describe people who lack the courage and confidence to move forward when faced with difficulties or challenges.
Examples
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面对困难，他畏缩不前，最终错失良机。
miànduì kùnnán, tā wèisuō bù qián, zuìzhōng cuòshī liángjī
Faced with difficulties, he shrank back, ultimately missing a good opportunity.
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面对强敌的挑战，他却畏缩不前，不敢应战。
miànduì qiángdí de tiǎozhàn, tā què wèisuō bù qián, bù gǎn yìngzhàn
In the face of a strong enemy's challenge, he shrank back and dared not fight back