jǔ举liftqí棋chess piecebù不notdìng定decide
Unable to make up one's mind; hesitant.
Literal meaning
lift (举) — chess piece (棋) — not (不) — decide (定)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase, often used to describe someone indecisive. Possibly related to historical anecdotes about emperors or generals facing difficult decisions.
Examples
Miàn面duì对liǎng两gè个tóng同yàng样yōu优xiù秀de的gōng工zuò作jī机huì会，tā他jǔ举qí棋bù不dìng定。
Faced with two equally excellent job opportunities, he was unable to make up his mind.
Zài在guān关jiàn键shí时kè刻，jǔ举qí棋bù不dìng定wǎng往wǎng往huì会dǎo导zhì致shī失bài败。
At critical moments, hesitation often leads to failure.
Usage & nuances
Describes a state of indecision, often in the face of important choices.
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