从轻发落

從輕發落
cóngqīng-fāluò
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to hand down a lighter sentence
  2. 2 to let off lightly
  3. 3 to deal with leniently

Examples

HSK 3
Gōngsī juédìng duì tā cóngqīng-fāluò.
The company decided to go easy on him.
HSK 6
Yīn tā rènzuì tàidù hǎo, fǎguān cóngqīng-fāluò.
Given his attitude, the judge handed down a lighter sentence.

Tips

history
From 李贽《与周友山书》 (Ming). 发落 is an old term for an official ruling or disposition; 从轻 means "going with the lighter option".
usage
Mostly legal or quasi-legal contexts - courts, school discipline, company decisions. Not casual.

Stroke Order

cóng
qīng
luò