退路 (tuì lù) — retreat route, escape path; leeway, something to fall back on, backup plan
Definition
退路 literally means a 'retreat route', but in modern use it usually means a backup plan or fallback option — the flexibility you keep before committing. Common with 留, meaning 'keep a way out'.
noun
retreat routeescape pathleewaysomething to fall back onbackup plan
Measure word · 条
Examples
- 退路，。Jūn duì méi yǒu tuì lù, zhǐ néng jì xù qián jìn.The army had no retreat route and could only continue forward.
- 退路。Tā zuò shì cóng bù liú tuì lù.He never leaves himself any leeway when doing things.
- 退路。Tóu zī qián yào gěi zì jǐ liú tiáo tuì lù.Before investing, you should leave yourself a fallback.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.