退而求其次 tuì ér qiú qí cì

to settle for second best; the next best thing

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to settle for second best
  2. 2. the next best thing

Characters

Character Meaning
退 tuì HSK 5
to withdraw; to retreat; to move back
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
求 qiú HSK 3
to seek; to look for; to request
其 qí HSK 3
its; their; it (refers to sth preceding it)
次 cì HSK 2
classifier for enumerated events: time; next in sequence