可乘之机 (kě chéng zhī jī) — an opportunity that someone (usually an adversa…

Definition

可乘之机 names the exploitable opening itself — a gap others can seize. 钻空子 is the verb action of slipping through such a gap.

phrase

an opportunity that someone (usually an adversary) can exploit

，可乘之机。
Wǒ men yào jiā qiáng guǎn lǐ, bù gěi duì shǒu liú kě chéng zhī jī.
We need to strengthen management and not leave any exploitable opening for our opponents.
，可乘之机。
Tā lì yòng gōng sī zhì dù de lòu dòng, zhǎo dào le kě chéng zhī jī.
He exploited a loophole in the company's system and found an opportunity to take advantage.
，可乘之机。
Tán pàn shí qiān wàn bù néng tòu lù ruò diǎn, fǒu zé duì fāng jiù huì zhǎo dào kě chéng zhī jī.
During negotiations, you must never reveal your weaknesses, or the other side will find an exploitable opportunity.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丂

丂kǎo可kě

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

乘 was drawn as a person climbing a tree, with the feet visible.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木几机

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree; wood

Sound part声符shēngfú

几

Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

Appears in