打退堂鼓
dǎ​tuì​táng​gǔ

give up

  • created sense approved 打退堂鼓 · dǎ​tuì​táng​gǔ · beat return drum

    打退堂鼓

    dǎ​tuì​táng​gǔ

    beat return drum

    Literally beating the drum to signal the end of a court session in imperial China.

    古代县官宣布退堂后，衙役便会打退堂鼓。

    expression

    created sense

  • created sense approved 打退堂鼓 · dǎ​tuì​táng​gǔ · give up

    打退堂鼓

    dǎ​tuì​táng​gǔ

    give up

    To back out of a commitment or give up halfway; to turn tail when facing difficulties.

    既然已经决定要做了，就不要中途打退堂鼓。

    idiom

    created sense