每天成语
background texture
< 深谋远虑千方百计 >

望而却步

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: wàng ér què bù
  • English Translation: To shrink back at the sight of something (daunted by difficulty or cost)
  • Idiom Composition: 「望」（To look at from a distance）＋「而」（A conjunction (and/then)）＋「却」（To retreat or step back）＋「步」（Step or pace）
  • Meaning: To be so overwhelmed by the sight of a difficulty, danger, or high cost that one gives up or steps back before even trying. It emphasizes a psychological barrier where the mere sight of the challenge is enough to discourage action.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「望而却步」 contains the following nuances:

  • Retreating Before Trying: The core of this idiom is that the retreat happens at the 'looking' (望) stage. It is not about failing after an attempt, but rather deciding it is impossible based on the initial observation.
  • Broad Range of Objects: While it can refer to physical danger, it is widely applied to anything that feels 'out of reach,' such as high prices, intellectual difficulty, or strict social barriers.

3. Usage

「望而却步」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Price and Cost: Frequently used when the price of a product or service is so high that it kills the desire to purchase.
    • Example:「这套房子的价格高得离谱，让许多购房者望而却步。」
      （The price of this house is ridiculously high, making many potential buyers shrink back.）
  • Difficulty and Requirements: Used when the standards for a test, job, or project are so high that people hesitate to apply or participate.
    • Example:「虽然这份工作薪水很高，但苛刻的招聘条件让人望而却步。」
      （Although the salary for this job is high, the harsh recruitment conditions make people hesitate to apply.）
  • Intimidating Atmosphere: Can be used when a person's attitude is cold or a place's atmosphere is so solemn that it feels unapproachable.
    • Example:「他那严肃冷漠的表情，让想跟他搭话的人望而却步。」
      （His stern and cold expression makes those who want to talk to him shrink back.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 复杂的申请流程往往会让申请者望而却步。
    （The complex application process often makes applicants give up in frustration.）
  2. 面对前方的万丈深渊，探险队不得不望而却步。
    （Facing the bottomless abyss ahead, the expedition team had no choice but to halt their progress.）
  3. 昂贵的医疗费用让很多贫困家庭望而却步。
    （Expensive medical costs make many poor families unable to afford treatment.）
  4. 这本书充满了晦涩难懂的专业术语，让普通读者望而却步。
    （This book is full of obscure professional jargon, which discourages ordinary readers.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • The idiom is most frequently used in the causative structure 让 (ràng) + [Person] + 望而却步 (wàng ér què bù), which translates to 'to deter someone' or 'to make someone think twice.'
  • In modern Chinese, while it can imply a lack of courage, it is often used neutrally to describe an objective situation where the barrier to entry is simply too high for the average person.
  • The phrase is found in the writings of Xu Guangqi (徐光启), a famous scholar of the Ming Dynasty (明朝) known for introducing Western science to China. It reflects the reaction of those who were intimidated by the complexity of new knowledge.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

望而却步 (wàng ér què bù) describes the act of retreating or giving up immediately upon seeing how difficult, dangerous, or expensive something is. It is most commonly used in the structure 让 (ràng) ... 望而却步 (wàng ér què bù), meaning 'to make someone shrink back' or 'to deter someone' from a particular course of action.

'造句' Feature Usage Guide

造句练习📝

Try creating sentences using '望而却步'!

0/50