望而却步

望而卻步

wàng'ér-quèbù

idiom #52,815

Meanings

1 to shrink back at the sight of (idiom)
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

高昂的学费让许多人望而却步。

Gāo'áng de xuéfèi ràng xǔduō rénwàng ér quèbù.

The steep tuition deters many people.

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.

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.

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