shield; pretext; excuse
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
a shield to block arrows; a physical shield
The literal meaning, referring to a piece of armor.
Gǔ古
dài代
de的
shì士
bīng兵
huì会
shǒu手
chí持
dǎng挡
jiàn箭
pái牌
bǎo保
hù护
zì自
jǐ己
。
Ancient soldiers would hold shields to protect themselves.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
dùn盾
pái牌
shì是
hěn很
hǎo好
de的
dǎng挡
jiàn箭
pái牌
。
This kind of shield is a very good block for arrows.
noun
a pretext; an excuse; a scapegoat
A common metaphorical use, implying a person or thing is used to deflect blame or responsibility.
Nǐ你
bù不
xiǎng想
qù去
jiù就
duì对
tā他
zhí直
shuō说
，
bié别
ná拿
wǒ我
zuò做
dǎng挡
jiàn箭
pái牌
。
If you don't want to go, just tell him directly. Don't use me as your excuse.
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
ná拿
gōng工
zuò作
máng忙
dāng当
dǎng挡
jiàn箭
pái牌
，
tuī推
diào掉
jù聚
huì会
。
He always uses being busy at work as a pretext to decline parties.
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Gōng公
sī司
de的
wèn问
tí题
bù不
shì是
yī一
gè个
rén人
de的
zé责
rèn任
，
bié别
ná拿
tā他
dāng当
dǎng挡
jiàn箭
pái牌
。
The company's problems are not one person's responsibility; don't use him as a scapegoat.
Tā她
yǐ以
jiā家
tíng庭
wéi为
dǎng挡
jiàn箭
pái牌
，
jù拒
jué绝
le了
zhí职
wèi位
de的
diào调
dòng动
。
She used her family as an excuse to refuse the job transfer.