瞻前顧後 zhān qián gù hòu

DEFINITIONS

  1. to look forward and back
  2. to consider prudently
  3. overcautious

CHARACTERS

瞻 zhān look; look out for; respect
前 qián in front, forward; preceding
顧 gù look back; look at; look after
後 hòu behind, rear, after; descendents