裹足不前 — “To hesitate to move forward”
裹足不前 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to hesitate to move forward”. To hold back or be reluctant to advance due to difficulties, apprehension, or a lack of resolve. Literally, “Bind one's feet and not advance”.
裹足不前 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 裹guǒ
- 足zú
- 不bù
- 前qián
裹足不前 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 裹足不前
Origin and Story of 裹足不前
During the Warring States period, Fan Sui, a retainer of Xujia, a senior official in the State of Wei, was framed and had to flee to the State of Qin, where he changed his name to Zhang Lu.
He sought an audience with King Zhao of Qin to address the issue of four powerful individuals monopolizing authority.
Fan Sui told the king that he risked his life to meet him for the future of Qin. He warned that if he were to be killed, it would cause all ambitious people in the world who wished to help Qin to "bind their feet and not advance" (裹足不前), meaning they would be deterred from offering their services.
He then analyzed the current situation of Qin with great clarity and insight. Impressed by his wisdom and courage, King Zhao of Qin appointed him as prime minister.
Idioms Related to 裹足不前
Antonyms of 裹足不前
Questions about 裹足不前
- What does 裹足不前 mean?
- 裹足不前 (guǒ zú bù qián) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to hesitate to move forward”.
- How do you pronounce 裹足不前?
- 裹足不前 is pronounced guǒ zú bù qián in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 裹足不前 literally mean?
- Literally, 裹足不前 means “Bind one's feet and not advance”. It is used to mean “to hesitate to move forward”.
- Where does 裹足不前 come from?
- 裹足不前 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 裹足不前?
- 裹：缠。停步不前，好象脚被缠住了一样。