- 找台阶 zhǎotáijiē to find an outTo find an excuse or a way out of an embarrassing situation to save face.
- 上台阶 shàngtáijiē to go up stairsTo step up onto a platform or walk up a flight of stairs.
- 下台阶 xiàtáijiē to extricate oneselfTo get out of an embarrassing or difficult situation; to find a way to save face.
- 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.