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退而求其次
tuìérqiúqícì
1. to settle for second best
2. the next best thing

Character Breakdown

退
tuì
to retreat, to step back, to withdraw
HSK 5 9 丶
而
ér
and, and then, and yet; but
HSK 3 6 丶
求
qiú
to seek; to request, to demand; to beseech, to beg for
HSK 3 7 丶
其
qí
his, her, its, their; that
HSK 3 8 丶
次
cì
order, sequence; second, next; one after the other
HSK 2 6 丶

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