有机可乘

有機可乘

yǒujī-kěchéng

idiom #28,856

Meanings

1 to have an opportunity to exploit
2 to find a loophole one can take advantage of

Characters

to have / there is

opportunity / machine

to ride / to take advantage of

Examples

HSK 4

不要让敌人有机可乘。

Bùyào ràng dírén yǒujī-kěchéng.

Don't let the enemy find an opening to exploit.

HSK 7-9

管理疏忽让骗子有机可乘。

Guǎnlǐ shūhū ràng piànzi yǒujī-kěchéng.

The lax management gave swindlers an opportunity to exploit.

Tips

usage

Typically used in negative contexts - describing a situation where someone's guard is down or a system has flaws, allowing opportunists or enemies to take advantage.

memory

Literal meaning: 有 (there is) + 机 (opportunity/mechanism) + 可 (can) + 乘 (ride/take advantage of) = there is an opportunity one can ride.

Stroke Order

有 yǒu

机 jī

可 kě

乘 chéng