畏缩不前 (wèi suō bù qián) | Meaning: to shrink back in fear (idiom); too cowardly to advance | Chinese Idiom with Pinyin & Origin

(lit.) to shrink back at the sight of (sth daunting) (idiom) · (fig.) to be deterred望而却步wàng ér què bù

to cower; to flinch; to quail; to recoil畏缩wèi suō

stuck and not moving forward (idiom); stagnant · in a rut · at a standstill停滞不前tíng zhì bù qián

lit. to beat the return drum (idiom) · fig. to give up · to turn tail打退堂鼓dǎ tuì táng gǔ

to shrink back in fear (idiom); too cowardly to advance