‘却步’ is a literary and formal verb meaning 'to shrink back' or 'to hesitate', often describing an emotional or psychological retreat in the face of difficulty, danger, or uncertainty. The character 却 (què) originally means 'to reject' or 'to draw back', while 步 (bù) means 'step' or 'to walk'; together, they vividly evoke the image of taking a literal step backward out of fear, doubt, or reluctance. Though composed of two common characters, 却步 functions as a fixed, inseparable compound and is rarely used in casual speech.

This word appears frequently in written Chinese—especially in essays, news reports, and literary descriptions—to convey moral courage, perseverance, or the lack thereof. It often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation when someone 'fails to advance' due to timidity or self-doubt. Unlike everyday verbs like 害怕 (hàipà, 'to be afraid') or 犹豫 (yóuyù, 'to hesitate'), 却步 emphasizes physical or metaphorical withdrawal from action or responsibility, making it especially powerful in rhetorical or motivational contexts.