半推半就

bàn tuī bàn jiù

idiom★Intermediate💡 to act coy or play hard to get◆idiom

◆ What It Really Means

To act coy or play hard to get, showing both resistance and willingness at the same time.

¶ Literal Meaning

Half-resisting and half-accepting

Literal Breakdown

半推half-resisting+半就half-accepting

◇ Mental Image

A person who is both pushing away and pulling closer, creating a sense of mixed signals.

◈ When to Use

In a romantic context, someone might half-resist a compliment or invitation, but their body language or tone suggests they are actually pleased or interested.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects a common social dynamic in Chinese culture, where directness is often avoided in favor of subtle hints and mixed signals.

informal

To act coy or play hard to get, showing both resistance and willingness at the same time, often in romantic or social situations.

他假装半推半就，其实早就想答应她的邀请了。

He pretended to play hard to get, but he had actually wanted to accept her invitation all along.

💡

This idiom is often used to describe someone who is hesitant or coy in a romantic or social context, but may actually be open to the idea.

Synonyms

矜持扭捏犹豫不决

Antonyms

直截了当爽快

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in romantic or social situations to describe someone who is hesitant or coy, but may actually be open to the idea.

📖Word Origin

The idiom combines '半推' (half-resisting) and '半就' (half-accepting), reflecting a state of mixed feelings or actions.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used to describe someone who is hesitant or coy in a romantic or social context, but may actually be open to the idea.

Word Breakdown

半推

half-resisting

root

半就

half-accepting

root

汉英词典

半推半就

bàn tuī bàn jiù

idiom★Intermediate💡 to act coy or play hard to get◆idiom

◆ What It Really Means

To act coy or play hard to get, showing both resistance and willingness at the same time.

¶ Literal Meaning

Half-resisting and half-accepting

Literal Breakdown

半推half-resisting+半就half-accepting

◇ Mental Image

A person who is both pushing away and pulling closer, creating a sense of mixed signals.

◈ When to Use

In a romantic context, someone might half-resist a compliment or invitation, but their body language or tone suggests they are actually pleased or interested.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects a common social dynamic in Chinese culture, where directness is often avoided in favor of subtle hints and mixed signals.

informal

To act coy or play hard to get, showing both resistance and willingness at the same time, often in romantic or social situations.

他假装半推半就，其实早就想答应她的邀请了。

He pretended to play hard to get, but he had actually wanted to accept her invitation all along.

💡

This idiom is often used to describe someone who is hesitant or coy in a romantic or social context, but may actually be open to the idea.

Synonyms

矜持扭捏犹豫不决

Antonyms

直截了当爽快

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This idiom is often used in romantic or social situations to describe someone who is hesitant or coy, but may actually be open to the idea.

📖Word Origin

The idiom combines '半推' (half-resisting) and '半就' (half-accepting), reflecting a state of mixed feelings or actions.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used to describe someone who is hesitant or coy in a romantic or social context, but may actually be open to the idea.

Word Breakdown

半推

half-resisting

root

半就

half-accepting

root

汉英词典