网开一面 (wǎng kāi yī miàn) — to give a wrongdoer a way out; to be lenient and not punish severely
Definition
A formal idiom for showing leniency toward a wrongdoer — literally 'leave one side of the net open' (an image from hunting). Always used for leniency in punishment, never for everyday kindness.
idiom
to give a wrongdoer a way outto be lenient and not punish severely
Examples
- ，网开一面，。Zhè cì tā suī rán fàn le cuò, dàn lǐng dǎo hái shì wǎng kāi yī miàn, zhī gěi le tā yí gè jǐng gào.Although he made a mistake this time, the boss still showed leniency and only gave him a warning.
- ，网开一面，。Fǎ guān kǎo lǜ dào tā shì chū fàn, jué dìng wǎng kāi yī miàn, cóng qīng chǔ fá.The judge considered he was a first-time offender and decided to be lenient, giving a lighter punishment.
- 网开一面，。Gōng sī duì zhǔ dòng rèn cuò de yuán gōng wǎng wǎng wǎng kāi yī miàn, jǐ yǔ gǎi guò zì xīn de jī huì.The company often shows leniency toward employees who admit their mistakes, giving them a chance to reform.
Appears in
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