“Pull in his horns” 是一个源自英语的习语,常用于描述某人突然变得谨慎、收敛或退缩的行为。
含义解释
这个短语字面意思是“把角收进去”,实际比喻一个人在面对危险、批评或不利情况时,选择低调行事、避免冲突或不再张扬。
来源背景
该表达源于牛或鹿等有角动物在受到威胁时会将头低下、角向内收以保护自己。因此,“pull in one’s horns” 被引申为人在压力下自我保护、收敛锋芒的行为。
常见用法
通常用于第三人称(如 he/she pulls in his/her horns),也可用于复数形式(they pull in their horns)。
例句参考
- After the criticism from his boss, he really pulled in his horns and stopped making bold suggestions.
- She used to speak her mind freely, but lately she’s been pulling in her horns.
近义表达
类似意思的英文表达包括:
- Keep a low profile(保持低调)
- Play it safe(谨慎行事)
- Back off(退让)