dǎ​cā​biān​qiú

to edge the ball

  • created reference approved 打擦边球/打擦邊球 → 钻空子/鑽空子 (synonym) — "Initial import from upstream dictionary"

    打擦边球 / 打擦邊球 dǎ​cā​biān​qiú

    钻空子 / 鑽空子 zuān​kòng​zi

    synonym

    Changed: source (simp), source (trad), source pinyin, target (simp), target (trad), target pinyin, type

    created reference

  • created sense approved 打擦边球/打擦邊球 · dǎ​cā​biān​qiú · to edge the ball — "Initial import from upstream dictionary"

    打擦边球 / 打擦邊球

    dǎ​cā​biān​qiú

    to edge the ball

    In table tennis, to hit a ball that grazes the edge of the table, making it difficult for the opponent to return; this literal use suggests luck or high skill.

    打, 擦边球

    打 (literal) → 打 · dǎ · to play 擦边球 (literal) → 擦边球/擦邊球 · cā​biān​qiú · edge ball

    Changed: simplified, traditional, gloss, definition, pinyin, variant pinyin, variants, separable parts, decomposition

    created sense

  • created sense approved 打擦边球/打擦邊球 · dǎ​cā​biān​qiú · to bend the rules — "Initial import from upstream dictionary"

    打擦边球 / 打擦邊球

    dǎ​cā​biān​qiú

    to bend the rules

    To operate at the very edge of what is allowed by rules or laws without technically breaking them; to take advantage of loopholes.

    打, 擦边球

    打 (literal) → 打 · dǎ · to play 擦边球 (literal) → 擦边球/擦邊球 · cā​biān​qiú · borderline action

    Changed: simplified, traditional, gloss, definition, pinyin, variant pinyin, variants, separable parts, decomposition

    created sense

  • created sense approved 打擦边球/打擦邊球 · dǎ​cā​biān​qiú · to skirt around an issue — "Initial import from upstream dictionary"

    打擦边球 / 打擦邊球

    dǎ​cā​biān​qiú

    to skirt around an issue

    To avoid addressing the core of a sensitive topic by talking around it or focusing on related but non-essential details.

    打, 擦边球

    打 (literal) → 打 · dǎ · to play 擦边球 (literal) → 擦边球/擦邊球 · cā​biān​qiú · borderline action

    Changed: simplified, traditional, gloss, definition, pinyin, variant pinyin, variants, separable parts, decomposition

    created sense