Lingaku- lit. to beat the return drum (idiom)
- fig. to give up
- to turn tail
Generated definitions (experimental)
- to give up
- to turn tail
This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone decides to withdraw from a challenge or situation they previously committed to, often due to difficulties or fear.
He felt nervous before the exam and ultimately decided to give up.
Faced with a difficult project, she chose to turn tail.
This meaning emphasizes the aspect of retreating or running away from a confrontation or responsibility, suggesting a sense of cowardice or lack of perseverance.
At the crucial moment, he chose to turn tail, disappointing everyone.
As the battle became more intense, he decided to turn tail.
Generated collocations (experimental)
dǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓to give updǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓de的xīn lǐ心理the psychology of giving upzài在guān jiàn关键shí kè时刻dǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓to turn tail at a crucial momentdǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓de的jué cè决策a decision to turn taildǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓de的tài du态度an attitude of giving upmiàn duì面对kùn nan困难bù不dǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓not giving up in the face of difficultiesbù不qīng yì轻易dǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓not giving up easilybì miǎn避免dǎ tuì táng gǔ打退堂鼓to avoid giving up