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/……只是因为中国的形势，美国的形势，还有整个国际的形势 （这点艾奇逊没有说） 不许可，～，采取了第三条路。(《毛泽东选集》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 |