- 找台阶下 zhǎotáijiēxià to find a way out of an awkward situationTo look for a graceful way to resolve a deadlock or end a difficult situation without losing face; literally, to find a set of stairs to go down.
- 找台阶儿 zhǎotáijiēr to find an excuseto look for a pretext or an excuse to get out of an awkward or embarrassing situation