首鼠两端 Wavering between two sides
Explanation
形容在两者之间犹豫不决，摇摆不定。比喻做事优柔寡断，缺乏决断力。
To describe someone who hesitates between two options, wavering. It describes hesitation and lack of decisiveness.
Origin Story
西汉时期，丞相田蚡骄横跋扈，与窦婴不和。一次，田蚡的小妾生子，他大摆宴席，邀请朝中大臣。窦婴和灌夫也应邀前往。田蚡故意怠慢灌夫，灌夫怒而斥责田蚡，田蚡恼羞成怒，将灌夫下狱。窦婴力保灌夫，找到汉武帝请求赦免，汉武帝本想赦免，但御史大夫韩安国却首鼠两端，认为杀与不杀都可以。田蚡抓住机会，最终将灌夫处死。窦婴知道后，悲愤不已，此后，窦婴与田蚡的矛盾更加激化，最终导致了窦婴被杀。这个故事说明，在关键时刻，犹豫不决，首鼠两端，会造成严重的后果。
During the Western Han Dynasty, Prime Minister Tian Fen and Dou Ying were at odds. Once, when Tian Fen's concubine gave birth, he held a grand banquet, inviting many court officials. Dou Ying and Guan Fu were among those invited. Tian Fen deliberately slighted Guan Fu, causing Guan Fu to angrily rebuke Tian Fen. Enraged, Tian Fen threw Guan Fu into prison. Dou Ying desperately tried to save Guan Fu, pleading with Emperor Wu to pardon him. Emperor Wu initially intended to pardon him, but the chief justice, Han Anguo, hesitated, saying that both killing and not killing Guan Fu were acceptable options. Tian Fen seized the opportunity and had Guan Fu executed. Upon learning this, Dou Ying was heartbroken and enraged, further fueling the conflict between Dou Ying and Tian Fen. Their bitter rivalry ultimately led to Dou Ying's execution. This story illustrates that in critical moments, indecision and hesitation can have disastrous consequences.
Usage
形容在做事情上犹豫不决，拿不定主意。
To describe someone who is indecisive and unable to make a decision.
Examples
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他总是首鼠两端，难以决断。
ta zongshi shoushu liangduan, nanyi jueduan
He always hesitates, unable to make a decision.
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面对选择，他总是首鼠两端，举棋不定。
mianduixuanze, ta zongshi shoushu liangduan, juqibu ding
He always wavers between two options, unable to decide.