leave one side of the net open; show leniency; give a way out
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to leave one side of the net open; to give someone a way out; to show leniency
literaryOriginally written as “网开三面” (leaving three sides of the net open) in the Records of the Grand Historian (《史记•殷本纪》), referring to the story of King Tang of Shang who showed mercy by only leaving one side of the net closed when hunting. Now generally used to mean showing leniency or giving someone a chance to reform.
Jì既
rán然
tā他
yǐ已
jīng经
chéng诚
xīn心
rèn认
cuò错
，
wǒ我
men们
jiù就
wǎng网
kāi开
yī一
miàn面
，
gěi给
tā他
yī一
cì次
gǎi改
guò过
zì自
xīn新
de的
jī机
huì会
。
Since he has sincerely admitted his mistake, let's give him a way out and a chance to reform.
Fǎ法
lǜ律
yīng应
gāi该
wǎng网
kāi开
yī一
miàn面
，
duì对
chū初
fàn犯
zhě者
cóng从
qīng轻
chǔ处
fá罚
。
The law should show leniency and punish first-time offenders lightly.
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Lǎo老
bǎn板
wǎng网
kāi开
yī一
miàn面
，
méi没
yǒu有
lì立
jí即
jiě解
gù雇
nà那
wèi位
chí迟
dào到
de的
yuán员
gōng工
。
The boss showed mercy and did not immediately fire the employee who was late.
Jǐng警
chá察
jué决
dìng定
wǎng网
kāi开
yī一
miàn面
，
zhǐ只
yào要
xiǎo小
tōu偷
guī归
háng还
zāng赃
wù物
jiù就
bù不
zài再
zhuī追
jiū究
。
The police decided to give the thief a way out, promising not to prosecute if he returned the stolen goods.