【投鼠忌器】〖tóu sh jì qì〗[spare the rat to save the dishes -- to hold back from taking action against an evildoer for fear of involving good people; Beware of damages when pelting rats!; Burn not your house to rid it of the mouse; hesitate to pelt a rat for fear of smashing the va]

投击有顾忌，

鼠匿古玩里。

忌讳打坏物，

器旁得护庇。

想用东西打老鼠，又怕打坏了近旁的器物。比喻做事有顾忌，不敢放手干。Want to use thing hit  mice, afraid hit broken nearby of utensils. Metaphor work has scruples, afraid to let go dry. 同：畏首畏尾、瞻前顾后。反：无所畏惧、肆无忌惮。