leave loose ends; leave a task unfinished
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to leave loose ends; to leave a task or problem unfinished; to leave room for future trouble
Used metaphorically to criticize incomplete work or decisions that leave hidden problems for later. Often used in work or policy contexts.
Gōng工
chéng程
yào要
àn按
qī期
gǎo搞
wán完
，
bù不
néng能
liú留
wěi尾
ba巴
。
The project must be completed on schedule without leaving loose ends.
Zuò做
shì事
yào要
chè彻
dǐ底
，
bù不
néng能
liú留
wěi尾
ba巴
。
One must do things thoroughly without leaving loose ends.
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Zhè这
cì次
gǎi改
gé革
hěn很
chè彻
dǐ底
，
méi没
yǒu有
liú留
wěi尾
ba巴
。
This reform was very thorough and left no loose ends.
Tā他
shuō说
huà话
zǒng总
shì是
liú留
wěi尾
ba巴
，
ràng让
rén人
cāi猜
bù不
tòu透
。
He always leaves things unsaid when he speaks, making it hard to guess his meaning.
Hé合
tóng同
tiáo条
kuǎn款
yào要
xiě写
qīng清
chu楚
，
bié别
liú留
wěi尾
ba巴
。
The contract terms must be written clearly—don't leave any loose ends.