望而却步

望而卻步

wàng'ér-quèbù

idiom #52,815

Meanings

1 to shrink back at the sight of
2 to be deterred; to back away
3 to be daunted

Characters

to gaze; to see

and then (classical)

to retreat; to step back

Examples

HSK 3

复杂的手续让创业者望而却步。

Fùzá de shǒuxù ràng chuàngyèzhě wàng'érquèbù.

The complicated procedures discourage entrepreneurs.

HSK 7-9

高昂的学费让许多人望而却步。

Gāo'áng de xuéfèi ràng xǔduō rén wàng'érquèbù.

The steep tuition deters many people.

HSK 7-9

那条山路太陡，游客都望而却步。

Nà tiáo shānlù tài dǒu, yóukè dōu wàng'érquèbù.

The mountain trail was so steep that tourists were deterred on sight.

Tips

usage

Typically in the pattern 让/令 + person + 望而却步 ('makes someone back off'). The subject causing the deterrence comes first: prices, difficulty, danger, red tape.

memory

Literally 'look (望) and then (而) step back (却步)'. Picture someone seeing a steep cliff edge and reflexively stepping away.

Stroke Order

望 wàng

而 ér

却 què

步 bù