# 举棋不定

jǔ qí bù dìng

Hesitate over a decision

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Hold a chess piece without deciding where to place it

**Traditional Chinese:** 舉棋不定

**Register:** Critical · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe wavering between choices when action is needed.

It usually criticizes prolonged indecision, not careful initial thought.

## Understanding the expression

A player lifts a piece but cannot settle on its destination. Holding it does not improve the position; eventually a move must be made. Modern use applies that suspended action to practical choices, such as selecting a job or approving a plan. The alternatives may each have advantages. What matters is that uncertainty keeps the person from committing, sometimes long after enough information is available.

## Examples

两份工作都不错，他一直举棋不定。

### Traditional Chinese

兩份工作都不錯，他一直舉棋不定。

liǎng fèn gōng zuò dōu bú cuò ， tā yì zhí jǔ qí bù dìng 。

Both jobs are good, and he keeps wavering between them.

机票快涨价了，我们还在出发日期上举棋不定。

### Traditional Chinese

機票快漲價了，我們還在出發日期上舉棋不定。

jī piào kuài zhǎng jià le ， wǒ men hái zài chū fā rì qī shàng jǔ qí bù dìng 。

Airfares are about to rise, but we still cannot choose a departure date.

她在租房还是买房之间举棋不定。

### Traditional Chinese

她在租房還是買房之間舉棋不定。

tā zài zū fáng hái shì mǎi fáng zhī jiān jǔ qí bù dìng 。

She is undecided about renting or buying a home.

经理举棋不定，项目迟迟没有启动。

### Traditional Chinese

經理舉棋不定，項目遲遲沒有啟動。

jīng lǐ jǔ qí bù dìng ， xiàng mù chí chí méi yǒu qǐ dòng 。

The manager's indecision has delayed the project's launch.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%88%89%E6%A3%8B%E4%B8%8D%E5%AE%9A)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=354&webMd=1&la=0)

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