软钉子

ruǎndīngzi

软钉子 — ruǎndīngzi

1. literal: a soft nail (a nail that bends rather than holds)

   墙上钉着几个软钉子，风一吹就会弯曲。 qiángshàng dīng zhe jǐgè ruǎndīngzi fēng yī chuī jiù huì wānqū — There are several soft nails in the wall; they bend whenever the wind blows.

2. fig.: a tactful retort or polite rejection (a way of turning someone down gently)

   他用一个软钉子婉拒了公司的邀请，没有得罪任何人。 tāyòng yígè ruǎndīngzi wǎnjù le gōngsī de yāoqǐng méiyǒu dézuì rènhérén — He used a soft-nail reply to politely decline the company's invitation without offending anyone.