观望不前 Watching and waiting without advancing
Explanation
观望不前，指的是在事情难以确定的时候，怀着犹豫不定的心情，观察事态的发展，暂时不敢前进。形容犹豫不决，不敢有所行动。
To watch and wait without advancing. It means that when things are uncertain, one hesitates and observes the development of the situation before daring to act. It describes indecision and a lack of courage to act.
Origin Story
战国时期，燕国派大将乐毅率领五国联军攻打齐国，齐国军队连连败退，眼看就要亡国。齐国大臣邹忌向齐王建议，派使者去各个国家求救，齐王却犹豫不决，观望不前。邹忌苦口婆心地劝说齐王，并分析了当时的形势，指出如果继续观望不前，齐国将面临灭亡的危险。齐王这才醒悟过来，立即下令派使者求救，最终避免了灭亡的命运。这个故事说明，在关键时刻，犹豫不决，观望不前，只会错失良机，甚至招致更大的灾难。
During the Warring States period, the Kingdom of Yan sent General Le Yi to lead a coalition army of five states to attack the Kingdom of Qi. Qi's army suffered repeated defeats, and the kingdom was on the verge of collapse. Qi's minister, Zou Ji, advised the king to send envoys to other states to ask for help, but the king hesitated and waited. Zou Ji earnestly persuaded the king, analyzing the situation and pointing out that if Qi continued to wait and see, it would face destruction. The king finally woke up and immediately ordered envoys to seek help, ultimately avoiding destruction. This story illustrates that hesitation and inaction at critical moments can lead to missed opportunities and even greater disaster.
Usage
作谓语、定语；形容犹豫不决，不敢有所行动。
Used as a predicate or attributive; describes indecision and a lack of courage to act.
Examples
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面对复杂形势，他们选择观望不前，错失良机。
mian dui fuza xingshi, tamen xuanze guanwang bu qian, cuoshi liangji
Faced with the complex situation, they chose to wait and see, missing good opportunities.
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面对新技术的挑战，一些企业观望不前，最终被淘汰。
mian dui xin jishu de tiaozhan, yixie qiye guanwang bu qian, zhongyu bei taotai
Faced with the challenges of new technologies, some companies are waiting and seeing, and are eventually eliminated.