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有机可乘 (yǒu jī kě chéng) — there is an opportunity to exploit; there are loopholes to take advantage of

Definition

Idiom meaning 'a crack to slip through' — used when a system's weakness gives someone a chance to exploit it. Carries a negative tone (dishonest gain), unlike neutral phrases for ordinary openings.

idiom
there is an opportunity to exploitthere are loopholes to take advantage of

Examples

  • ，有机可乘。
    Gōng sī guǎn lǐ hùn luàn, ràng jìng zhēng duì shǒu yǒu jī kě chéng.
    The company's management is chaotic, giving competitors an opportunity to exploit.
  • ，有机可乘。
    Rú guǒ zhì dù wán shàn, jiù bú huì ràng rén yǒu jī kě chéng.
    If the system is sound, no one will have a chance to exploit loopholes.
  • ，有机可乘。
    Tán pàn zhōng yào xiǎo xīn, bié ràng duì fāng yǒu jī kě chéng.
    Be careful during negotiations; don't let the other side find an opening.

Origin

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
肉肉ròumeat
Sound part声符shēngfú
又
又yòu有yǒu
Same sound today

The form 有 combines 又, used for its sound, with a shape from 肉, 'meat'; the hand-holding-meat story is a folk explanation, not shown in the oldest shape.

Open 有 →

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
木木mùtree; wood
Sound part声符shēngfú
几
几jǐ机jī
Same sound today

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

Open 机 →

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
口口kǒu
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.

Open 可 →

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.

Open 乘 →
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Idioms & Set Phrases

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