tuì'ér​qiú​qí​cì

to settle for second best

  1. to retreat
    to move backward; to withdraw or pull back
  2. ér particleconjunction
    [adverbial linker]
    Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.
  3. to seek
    to look for or try to obtain something; to strive for
  4. secondary
    secondary; of less importance; the next person or thing in order of priority