汉英词典
Chinese-English Dictionary
MEANING OF 虚与委蛇
虚与委蛇 (虛與委蛇)
to feign civility (idiom)
虚 false / 委蛇 Casually / Refers to false affection to others, perfunctory entertainment
语出《庄子.应帝王》"壶子曰'乡吾示之以未始出吾宗﹐吾与之虚而委蛇。'"成玄英疏"委蛇﹐随顺之貌也。至人应物﹐虚己忘怀﹐随顺逗机﹐不执宗本。"后因谓假意殷勤﹑敷衍应酬为"虚与委蛇"。
() xū () yǔ/yú/yù wěi/wēi shé
EXAMPLE SENTENCES

在奥巴马周四国会演讲之前,中东专家都在火急火燎地推测他将会重申原则,还是会虚与委蛇

Middle East cognoscenti were speculating furiously ahead of the president's speech at the State Department on Thursday over whether he would utter them or fudge.

奥巴马没有认真研究过摆在他面前的问题,进而做出英明的决定。事实上他一直在虚与委蛇逃避他真正应该承担的责任。

Obama has dodged the responsibility of his elected position by simply stating "present" rather than studying the issues before him and making an intelligent decision.