chī​ruǎn​bù​chī​yìng

to respond to persuasion but not to force

Senses

吃软不吃硬/ 吃軟不吃硬 chī​ruǎn​bù​chī​yìng to respond to persuasion but not to force

(idiom) amenable to coaxing but refusing to submit to coercion; literally "to eat soft food but refuse hard food"

References

antonym 吃硬不吃软/吃硬不吃軟 吃软不吃硬/吃軟不吃硬
see 吃硬不吃软/吃硬不吃軟 吃软不吃硬/吃軟不吃硬