不得已而求其次bù dé yǐ ér qiú qí cìbe left with nothing better than the second choice; have no alternative (/option) but to give up one’s (first)preference; have to take (/put up with/be content with) the second best/……只是因為中國的形勢，美國的形勢，還有整個國際的形勢 （這點艾奇遜沒有說） 不許可，～，采取了第三條路。(《毛澤東選集》1383)…but the situation in China,in the United States and in the world as a whole (a point Acheson does not mention)did not permit it; they had to give up their preference and take the third way. 不得已而求其次have to be content with the second best;settle with the second best |