Chinese word

可乘之机

Pronunciation

Pinyinkě chéng zhī jī

Meaning

idioma chance to gain an advantage

Example

他的一句话让竞争对手有了可乘之机。tā de yí jù huà ràng jìng zhēng duì shǒu yǒu le kě chéng zhī jī

His remark gives his competitor a chance to gain an advantage.

Illustration for 可乘之机 (a chance to gain an advantage)

More examples

对手的矛盾给了我们可乘之机，我们迅速反击。duì shǒu de máo dùn gěi le wǒ men kě chéng zhī jī wǒ men xùn sù fǎn jī

The opponent's contradiction gave us an opening, and we quickly counterattacked.

Core concept

A weakness in the other side that leaves room for someone to gain an advantage.

Common phrases

抓住可乘之机zhuā zhù kě chéng zhī jī
seize an exploitable opening
利用可乘之机lì yòng kě chéng zhī jī
exploit an opening
给对手可乘之机gěi duì shǒu kě chéng zhī jī
give one's opponent an opening

Similar words

乘人不备chéng rén bú bèi: Using someone's lack of preparation as a chance to gain an advantage.
趁虚而入chèn xū ér rù: Using an opening in someone's defenses to gain an advantage.
乘人之危chéng rén zhī wēi: Using another person's trouble to gain a benefit.
趁火打劫chèn huó dǎ jié: Using a disaster or chaotic situation to loot or hurt others.

Definition in Chinese

指在对方出现漏洞或失误时，可以借机取得利益的机会。zhǐ zài duì fāng chū xiàn lòu dòng huò shī wù shí ké yǐ jiè jī qǔ dé lì yì de jī huì

Word origin

可 (kě, "can") + 乘 (chéng, "take advantage of") + 之 (zhī, "of") + 机 (jī, "opportunity") forms the idea of an opportunity that can be used to gain an advantage.

Usage tips

Unlike a neutral chance, this idiom usually points to an opportunity created by another side's mistake, so it can sound critical in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

an exploitable openingidiom