思前想后 sīqián-xiǎnghòu to consider past cause and future effect
to consider past cause and future effect (idiom); to think over the past and future; to ponder over reasons and connection
How to remember 思前想后: 思 think + 前 in front + 想 think about + 后 back = to consider past cause and future effect.
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How it is used
- To turn something over in your mind, weighing past and future - 他思前想后，还是决定去 (tā sīqián-xiǎnghòu, háishì juédìng qù) after much deliberation, he decided to go.
- Depicts hesitant, repeated pondering before a decision; contrast decisive 当机立断.
- Spoken and written; often precedes a hard-won choice.