seize on shortcomings as leverage; find fault
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to seize on someone's shortcomings or mistakes as leverage against them; to find fault deliberately; to exploit someone's weak point
neutralCommonly used in political, workplace, or organizational contexts to describe using someone's past mistakes against them. Often implies a power dynamic where one party uses another's errors as ammunition for criticism or control. Also expressed as 抓辫子.
Zài在
gōng工
zuò作
zhōng中
，
wǒ我
men们
yào要
duì对
shì事
bù不
duì对
rén人
，
bù不
yào要
hù互
xiāng相
jiū揪
biàn辫
zi子
。
At work, we should focus on the issue rather than the person, and not seize on each other's shortcomings.
Tā他
bèi被
rén人
jiū揪
zhù住
le了
biàn辫
zi子
，
bù不
dé得
bù不
dī低
tóu头
rèn认
cuò错
。
He was caught with his mistakes held against him, forcing him to admit his fault.
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Yǒu有
xiē些
lǐng领
dǎo导
xǐ喜
huan欢
jiū揪
biàn辫
zi子
，
ràng让
xià下
shǔ属
bù不
gǎn敢
shuō说
huà话
。
Some leaders like to seize on people's mistakes, making subordinates afraid to speak up.