a child chewing bubble gum: swallowing and spitting out again and again
Saying俗语俗語
Two-part saying歇后语歇後語 · Widely known
Meaning
Describes someone who hesitates and stops short of saying what they mean, because they have worries. Mildly teasing.
Wordplay
The second half has a double meaning: 吞吞吐吐 (tūntūntǔtǔ) literally describes gum being drawn in and blown out, and figuratively describes halting, evasive speech.