na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
very timid; faint-hearted; nervous
Describes a person who is extremely cautious, easily frightened, or lacking in boldness. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
彼は小心翼翼として、新しい提案に反対した。
He was very timid and opposed the new proposal.
小心翼翼たる態度では、リーダーにはなれない。
With such a faint-hearted attitude, you cannot become a leader.
A yojijukugo derived from classical Chinese, combining 小心 (small heart/mind, i.e., timid) and 翼翼 (careful, cautious). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used in Japanese literary contexts to describe extreme timidity.