Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
Chinese to English Dictionary
下台阶
xià táijiē
Description
"下台阶"字面的意思是走下楼梯，但更常用来说给人一个机会，让他不那么尴尬。
The literal meaning of "下台阶" is to walk down stairs, but it is more commonly used to mean giving someone a chance to avoid embarrassment.
当有人说错话的时候，你可以帮他下台阶。
When someone says something wrong, you can help them "下台阶".
Meanings
下台阶xià táijiē
a way out of an awkward situation; save face
他给了我一个台阶下。
He gave me a way out.
下台阶xià táijiē
to walk down the steps or stairs
老人慢慢地下台阶。
The old man slowly went down the stairs.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
literally "go down the steps"; figuratively an exit that lets someone avoid embarrassment.
- Nuance
often used as 给…台阶下, meaning to help someone save face.
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