欲言又止 yù yán yòu zhǐ — to hesitate to speak; to falter and hold back

欲言又止
yù yán yòu zhǐ

Characters: 欲 · 言 · 又 · 止

Definitions

  1. to hesitate to speak; to falter and hold back

More definitions

CC-CEDICT

  1. to want to say sth but then hesitate

ExtDict

  1. 想说又停止不说。形容有难言的苦衷。

Examples

  • 他欲言又止，似有难言之隐。

    He faltered and held back, as though nursing a secret grief.

  • 母亲望着远行的儿子，几次欲言又止。

    Looking at her departing son, the mother several times tried to speak and stopped.