退而求其次的英文：
1.faute de mieux
2.settle for something
3.settle for something less

参考例句：

Lacking bread,tart should be good.
退而求其次。

borrowing tapes from the library would be the next-best thing
从资料库借磁带是退而求其次的办法

I was thinking the next best thing would be to get his shoes shined.
我当时想退而求其次的办法就是让他去擦擦鞋。

"Since money was tight, we settled for a short trip to the south."
"既然钱紧了一点,我们退而求其次,来一趟短期的南部之旅。"

settle是什么意思：
v. （使）定居，安定；解决；安排；沉淀；下陷

It was settled by lot.
这事是以抽签决定的。

It was settled by lotting.
这事是以抽签决定的。

No question is ever settled until it is settled right
正确解决问题才算真正解决