踌躇不前 hesitate and not move forward
Explanation
形容犹豫不决，不敢前进的样子。
Describes the state of hesitating and being unable to move forward.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，一位名叫李白的年轻书生，怀揣着满腹经纶，准备前往长安参加科举考试。他踌躇不前，不是担心考试的难度，而是担心自己能否适应长安的繁华生活，能否融入那充满尔虞我诈的官场。他想象着自己孤身一人，身处异地，举目无亲，心中充满了焦虑与不安。他反复思量着，是去还是不去？去长安，意味着机会，也意味着挑战；不去长安，则意味着失去机会，也意味着平庸一生。夜深人静，他独自一人在房间里徘徊，思绪万千，难以抉择。最终，他还是决定去长安一试。他收拾好行装，带上对未来的期许，毅然踏上了前往长安的道路。
It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, a young scholar named Li Bai, with great knowledge in his heart, was preparing to travel to Chang'an to take the imperial examinations. He hesitated, not because of the difficulty of the exams, but because he wondered if he could adapt to the bustling life in Chang'an and navigate the world of intrigue and power struggles. He imagined himself alone in a strange city, without friends or family, and he was full of anxiety and insecurity. He pondered again and again, whether to go or not to go. Going to Chang'an meant opportunities, but also challenges; not going to Chang'an meant missing opportunities, but also leading an ordinary life. In the quiet of the night, he wandered alone in his room, his thoughts restless, unable to decide. In the end, he still decided to give it a try in Chang'an. He packed his bags, took his hopes for the future, and set off on the road to Chang'an.
Usage
用于形容在做某事之前犹豫不决，不敢向前迈进的状态。
Used to describe the state of hesitating before doing something, not daring to move forward.
Examples
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面对困难，他却踌躇不前，最终错失良机。
miànduì kùnnán, tā què chóu chú bù qián, zuìzhōng cuòshī liángjī
Faced with difficulties, he hesitated, ultimately missing a good opportunity.
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创业初期，许多人都会踌躇不前，害怕失败。
chuàngyè chūqī, xǔduō rén dōu huì chóu chú bù qián, hàipà shībài
In the early stages of a startup, many people hesitate, fearing failure.