二(に)の足(あし)を踏(ふ)む

にのあしをふむ
expression
to hesitate, to have second thoughts
action
1. to hesitate, to have second thoughts, to waver
To be reluctant to proceed or take action, often due to uncertainty, fear, or concern about the consequences.
値段(ねだん)を見(み)て二(に)の足(あし)を踏(ふ)んだ。
I hesitated when I saw the price.
転職(てんしょく)したいが、二(に)の足(あし)を踏(ふ)んでいる。
I want to change jobs, but I'm having second thoughts.
リスクが高(たか)いので、投資家(とうしか)たちは二(に)の足(あし)を踏(ふ)んでいる。
Due to the high risk, investors are hesitating.

Etymology

Literally 'to tread the second step': having taken one step, one hesitates over the next and marks time instead of moving forward.

Usage

Often used when someone wants to do something but is held back by concerns about cost, risk, difficulty, or other factors.

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: 躊躇(ためら)う (to hesitate (verb))
Synonym: 躊躇(ちゅうちょ) (hesitation (formal))
Compare: 尻込(しりご)み (to shrink back, to flinch)
general
Added 2026.2.5 11:46 · Revised 2026.10.6 22:43
10000/10095_ninoashiwofumu