拖泥带水

tuō ní dài shuǐ

sloppy and indecisive; dragging things out

Character by character

拖tuō
drag

泥ní
mud

带dài
carry

水shuǐ
water

他做事从不拖泥带水，说干就干。

He never dithers. Once he decides, he does it.

Tone: negative (criticism).

Used of work, writing or a messy break-up. Opposite: 雷厉风行.

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