use someone else to do something; work through others
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to use someone else's hands; to get someone else to do one's dirty work; to achieve one's goals through others
literaryOften used in the fixed phrase 假手于人. Can carry a neutral sense (delegating) or a negative connotation (manipulating others for selfish purposes). Used in formal or literary contexts.
Tā他
bù不
yuàn愿
qīn亲
zì自
dòng动
shǒu手
，
fǎn反
ér而
jiǎ假
shǒu手
yú于
rén人
。
He was unwilling to do it himself, and instead got someone else to do his dirty work.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
tā他
bù不
gǎn敢
zì自
jǐ己
zuò做
，
zhǐ只
hǎo好
jiǎ假
shǒu手
yú于
rén人
。
He didn't dare to do this matter himself, so he had to work through others.
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Dí敌
rén人
xiǎng想
jiǎ假
shǒu手
yú于
rén人
lái来
pò破
huài坏
wǒ我
men们
de的
jì计
huà划
。
The enemy wants to use others to sabotage our plans.
Jiǎ假
shǒu手
yú于
rén人
zhōng终
jiū究
bù不
shì是
cháng长
jiǔ久
zhī之
jì计
。
Relying on others to do one's work is not a viable long-term solution after all.