subject of ridicule; handle against sb.
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
matter for ridicule; subject of gossip; handle (that can be used against sb.)
Often used in phrases like 留下话柄 (give others a handle against oneself) or 抓住话柄 (seize upon sb.'s words as a pretext for attack). Implies that one's words or actions have provided material for others to mock or criticize.
Tā他
shuō说
huà话
bù不
xiǎo小
xīn心
，
gěi给
rén人
liú留
xià下
le了
huà话
bǐng柄
。
He spoke carelessly and gave others a handle against himself.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
chéng成
le了
dà大
jiā家
de的
huà话
bǐng柄
。
This matter became a subject of ridicule for everyone.
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Nǐ你
zhè这
yàng样
zuò做
huì会
bèi被
rén人
zhuā抓
zhù住
huà话
bǐng柄
de的
。
If you do this, people will seize upon it as a pretext to attack you.