Definition
后路 literally means 'back road' or 'rear path' and originally referred to a military retreat route. In everyday use, it's almost always figurative: a 'way out' or 'backup plan' you keep for yourself in case things go wrong. The most common collocation is 留后路 (liú hòulù) — to leave oneself an escape route or room to maneuver.
n.
route of retreatescape routeroom to maneuvera way out (figurative)
Examples
- 后路。Jūnduì bìxū quèbǎo hòu lù chàngtōng.The army must ensure the retreat route is clear.
- 后路。Zuò rènhé shì dōu yào gěi zìjǐ liú tiáo hòu lù.In everything you do, you should leave yourself a way out.
- ，后路。Tā shuōhuà hěn xiǎoxīn, zǒngshì gěi zìjǐ liú hòu lù.He speaks very cautiously, always leaving himself room to maneuver.
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