leave room; avoid extremes
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to leave room; to leave leeway; to avoid extremes
formalA common idiom describing a cautious and flexible approach to speaking or acting, ensuring one does not paint oneself into a corner or cause offense.
Tā他
shuō说
huà话
zǒng总
shì是
hěn很
wěi委
wǎn婉
，
dǒng懂
dé得
gěi给
zì自
jǐ己
liú留
yú余
dì地
。
He always speaks tactfully and knows how to leave room for himself.
Zuò做
jì计
huà划
shí时
yào要
liú留
yú余
dì地
，
yǐ以
fáng防
chū出
xiàn现
yì意
wài外
。
When making plans, leave some leeway to account for unexpected events.
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Tā他
pī批
píng评
dé得
hěn很
zhōng中
kěn肯
，
jì既
zhǐ指
chū出
le了
wèn问
tí题
，
yòu又
gěi给
duì对
fāng方
liú留
le了
yú余
dì地
。
His criticism was very fair, pointing out the problem while also leaving the other party some room.
Bù不
yào要
bǎ把
huà话
shuō说
dé得
tài太
mǎn满
，
fán凡
shì事
dōu都
yào要
liú留
yǒu有
yú余
dì地
。
Don't be too absolute with your words; always leave some leeway in all matters.