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“打退堂鼓”,中文俗语,本意是指封建官吏退堂时打鼓。现在比喻在达到目的之前先退缩、放弃(give up a pursuit without attaining the goal),与英文习语“draw in one's horns”意思相近,可以表示“make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity”。
例句:
镇长想要增加税收,但公众的反应使他打退堂鼓。The town head wanted higher taxes but public reaction made him draw in his horns.
不要遇到一点困难就打退堂鼓。Don't back up the moment you run up against a little difficulty.
现在打退堂鼓已经太晚了。It's too late to back down now.