有机可乘

有機可乘

yǒujīkěchéng

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

管理疏忽让骗子有机可乘。

Guǎnlǐ shūhū ràng piànzi yǒu jī kě chéng.

The lax management gave swindlers an opportunity to exploit.

不要让敌人有机可乘。

Bùyào ràng dírén yǒu jī kě chéng.

Don't let the enemy find an opening 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