To be afraid to break the vase when throwing something at a rat (tóu shǔ jì qì) means to hesitate to act due to potential negative consequences or collateral damage.
投鼠忌器（tóu shǔ jì qì）比喻做事有顾忌，不敢放手干。
| 成语 | 投鼠忌器 |
|---|---|
| 解释 | 想用东西打老鼠，又怕打坏了近旁的器物。比喻做事有顾忌，不敢放手干。 |
| 出处 | 《汉书·贾谊传》：“欲投鼠而忌器。” |
| 拼音 | tóu shǔ jì qì |
| 拼音码 | tsjq |
| 近义词 | 畏首畏尾、瞻前顾后 |
| 反义词 | 无所畏惧、肆无忌惮 |
| 用法 | 连动式；作谓语、状语；表示想一件事又有所顾虑 |
| 英语 | throw something at a rat,but afraid to break the vase |
Tags: freq3
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