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可乘之机

kě chéng zhī jī

HSK 7–9

Meaning

  • an opportunity that someone (usually a villain or adversary) can exploit

Definition

可以利用的机会或空子。

An opportunity or loophole that can be exploited.

Usage

通常用于指坏人利用某个机会做坏事，或指防守上的漏洞被人利用。有时也用于中性或正面情境，但较少见。常与“给（坏人）可乘之机”、“不给可乘之机”搭配。

Usually used to refer to bad people taking advantage of an opportunity to do bad things, or a loophole in defense being exploited. Sometimes used in neutral or positive contexts but less common. Often collocated with 'give (bad people) an opening' or 'not give an opening'.

Examples

  • 1 外出时一定要锁好门窗，不要给小偷可乘之机。 (Make sure to lock doors and windows when going out, leaving no opportunity for thieves.)
  • 2 他在比赛中失误，给了对手可乘之机。 (His mistake in the game gave the opponent an opening.)
  • 3 我们要加强防范，不给犯罪分子任何可乘之机。 (We must strengthen precautions and give criminals no chance to exploit.)
  • 4 谈判中，我方态度坚决，没有给对手可乘之机。 (In the negotiations, our side was firm and gave the opponent no opening.)
  • 5 网络诈骗利用人们的贪婪心理，寻找可乘之机。 (Online fraud exploits people's greed, seeking opportunities to strike.)

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