打退堂鼓 dǎ tuì táng gǔ

fig. to give up; to turn tail

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 23714th word

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to give up
  2. 2. to turn tail
  3. 3. lit. to beat the return drum (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
打 dǎ HSK 1
to hit; to strike; to beat
退 tuì HSK 5
to withdraw; to retreat; to move back
堂 táng HSK 6
(main) hall; large room for a specific purpose
鼓 gǔ HSK 4
drum; to drum; to strike