“打退堂鼓”，中文俗语，本意是指封建官吏退堂时打鼓。现在比喻在达到目的之前先退缩、放弃（give up a pursuit without attaining the goal），与英文习语“draw in one’s horns”意思相近，可以表示“make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity”。
- 镇长想要增加税收，但公众的反应使他打退堂鼓。
The town head wanted higher taxes but public reaction made him draw in his horns. - 不要遇到一点困难就打退堂鼓。
Don’t back up the moment you run up against a little difficulty. - 现在打退堂鼓已经太晚了。
It’s too late to back down now.
