投鼠忌器

投鼠忌器 [tóu shǔ jì qì]

1. ■ 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 vase [dishes] beside it; One who strikes at a rat cares if a vessel would be broken.; throw sth. at a rat, but afraid to break the vase -- caution in taking action; When you throw stones at a rat, beware of the vase.