投鼠忌器 tóushǔjìqì to hesitate for fear of unintended harm Definitions Defs Origin Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 投 tóu verb to throw to throw; to fling; to toss something toward a target鼠 shǔ noun rat (bound form) rat; mouse; any of various small rodents忌 jì to fear to fear or dread; to have scruples; to be wary of器 qì noun utensil device; tool; utensil; ware