# 首鼠两端

shǒu shǔ liǎng duān

Waver between two positions

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A rat's head turns toward both ends

**Traditional Chinese:** 首鼠兩端

**Register:** Critical · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe hesitation or divided allegiance.

Often more critical than thoughtful deliberation.

## Understanding the expression

The animal's head turns between directions instead of committing to one route. The expression describes wavering, especially when someone wants advantages from opposing sides or fears choosing wrongly. It appears in accounts of loyalty, negotiation, and uncertain commitments. The focus is not a fair comparison of options but continued failure to decide. Context can identify whether fear, opportunism, or confusion drives the hesitation, since the phrase alone does not explain the motive.

## Examples

他在两家公司之间首鼠两端。

### Traditional Chinese

他在兩家公司之間首鼠兩端。

tā zài liǎng jiā gōng sī zhī jiān shǒu shǔ liǎng duān 。

He keeps wavering between the two companies.

双方都要求支持，他却首鼠两端。

### Traditional Chinese

雙方都要求支持，他卻首鼠兩端。

shuāng fāng dōu yāo qiú zhī chí ， tā què shǒu shǔ liǎng duān 。

Both sides seek support, but he remains undecided.

负责人首鼠两端，错过了时机。

### Traditional Chinese

負責人首鼠兩端，錯過了時機。

fù zé rén shǒu shǔ liǎng duān ， cuò guò le shí jī 。

The leader's wavering lost the opportunity.

别再首鼠两端，按原则作决定。

### Traditional Chinese

別再首鼠兩端，按原則作決定。

bié zài shǒu shǔ liǎng duān ， àn yuán zé zuò jué dìng 。

Stop wavering and decide on principle.

## 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=%E9%A6%96%E9%BC%A0%E5%85%A9%E7%AB%AF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=522&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [手足无措 shǒu zú wú cuò Be flustered and unsure how to act ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shou-zu-wu-cuo)

- [束手无策 shù shǒu wú cè Be unable to find an effective solution ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shu-shou-wu-ce)

- [束之高阁 shù zhī gāo gé Set something aside and ignore it ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shu-zhi-gao-ge)

- [率由旧章 shuài yóu jiù zhāng Follow the established rules or practices ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/shuai-you-jiu-zhang)

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