缩手缩脚

缩手缩脚

Literally means:

shrink hand and shrink feet

Actually means:

be pinched with cold; be overcautious

It describes someone who is pinched in cold weather and his limbs cannot stretch properly. It also means that one is timid, has too many misgivings, or is restricted by external factors, and thus is overcautious in doing something. Derogatory.

形容因天气太冷，缩起手和脚，四肢不舒展的样子。也形容因胆子小，顾虑多，或受外来因素的束缚，不敢放手做某事。具有贬义色彩。