I couldn't afford the house I really wanted, so I had to settle for second best.

我真心想要的房子我买不起，所以只得退而求其次了。

《牛津词典》

As we grow older the passion for learning and success generally tends to dwindle in most of us, and we become willing to settle for second best.

当我们年岁渐长，大多数人对学习以及成功的热情通常会日趋减少，我们会心甘情愿地满足于退而求其次。

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And after having to settle for second best so often in individual events at worlds he took the all-around gold ahead of title-holder Tomita and Germany's Fabian Hambuechen.

在个人全能赛事中，一直位居亚军的他摘得了这次的全能桂冠，领先于前冠军得主富田洋之和德国选手汉布钦。

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"It's a big embarrassment to us as World Cup hosts that we have to settle for second best, " said South African FA chief executive Leslie Sedibe at the time.

BBC: South Africa still undecided on World Cup training base

But two laps later Rossi got his nose back in front for the last time, leaving Biaggi to settle for second - his best finish of the season so far.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Rossi holds off Biaggi at Mugello