Looking at the two sides and murmuring. Describe having nothing to say in response, intentionally avoiding the topic and using other words to put it off.
Idiom Pronunciation:
顾左右而言他
gù zuǒ yòu ér yán tā
Origin:
《孟子·梁惠王下》：“曰：‘四境之内不治则如之何。’王顾左右而言他。”
Story:
In the middle of the Warring States period of China, Mencius once said to King Xuan of Qi, “There was a man who, because he was going to Chu, entrusted his wife and children to his friend and asked him to take care of them. When he returned, he learned that his wife and children had been freezing and starving, and that friend had not done his duty of care at all. What do you think should be done about this?”
King Xuan of Qi replied, “Cut off friendship with him!” Mencius added, “There is a governor who enforces law and discipline and is in charge of punishment, but he can’t even control his own subordinates. What do you think should be done about this?” King Xuan of Qi said, “Remove him from his post!” Finally, Mencius said, “Within the whole country, the government is in disarray, and the people cannot live and work in peace and happiness. What do you think should be done about this?”
King Xuan of Qi Looking at the two sides and murmuring, that is, he looked at his attendants standing on either side of him and deliberately changed the subject to something else.
Similar Idioms:
- 井底之蛙
