知難而退 zhī nán ér tuì

back off when it’s too hard; know when to quit

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to sound out the difficulties and retreat to avoid defeat (idiom); fig. to back out of an awkward situation
  2. 2. to get out on finding out what it's really like

Characters

Character Meaning
知 zhī HSK 2
to know; to be aware
難 nán
difficult; difficult (to...); difficulty
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
退 tuì HSK 5
to withdraw; to retreat; to move back