go into debt; borrow money
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to go into debt; to borrow money (dialectal)
dialectMetaphorical dialect expression from northern Chinese, literally meaning 'to dig a hole,' figuratively describing the act of borrowing money to cover financial deficits. Often implies a sense of financial strain or desperation.
Jiā家
lǐ里
jí急
yòng用
qián钱
，
tā他
zhǐ只
hǎo好
chū出
qù去
tāo掏
kū窟
long窿
。
The family urgently needed money, so he had no choice but to go out and borrow some.
Wèi为
le了
kāi开
gōng公
sī司
，
tā他
xiàng向
yín银
háng行
tāo掏
le了
bù不
shǎo少
kū窟
long窿
。
To start the company, he went heavily into debt at the bank.
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Zhè这
ge个
yuè月
gōng工
zī资
hái还
méi没
fā发
，
yòu又
děi得
tāo掏
kū窟
long窿
le了
。
This month's salary hasn't been paid yet, so I'll have to borrow money again.