落井下石 (luò jǐng xià shí) — to kick someone when they are down; to take advantage of someone's misfortune to attack them

Definition

A chengyu meaning 'to kick someone when they're down' — to attack or worsen matters for a person already in trouble. Used to condemn deliberate cruelty rather than describe a single act.

verb
to kick someone when they are downto take advantage of someone's misfortune to attack them

Examples

  • 落井下石
    Dà jiā dōu bāng tā, nǐ què luò jǐng xià shí, tài bú gòu yì si le.
    Everyone is helping him, but you're kicking him when he's down — that's really not cool.
  • 落井下石
    Zài bié rén kùn nan de shí hou luò jǐng xià shí, zhè zhǒng xíng wéi hěn bú dào dé.
    Attacking others when they're in trouble is very unethical behavior.
  • 落井下石
    Tā bú dàn bù tóng qíng wǒ, fǎn ér luò jǐng xià shí, ràng wǒ hěn shī wàng.
    Not only did he not sympathize with me, but he kicked me when I was down — I was very disappointed.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.