Definition
夹缝 literally means a narrow gap or crack between two surfaces, like a wall crevice or a tight space between objects. Figuratively, it describes a difficult or precarious situation where someone is caught between two opposing forces or constraints — often used in phrases like 夹缝中生存 (to survive in a tight spot). The 'loophole' sense refers to a narrow escape or a gap in rules, but this is less common in everyday speech.
n.
narrow space between two adjacent thingscrack(figurative) difficult situation caught between two forcesloophole
Examples
- 夹缝，。Yàoshi diào jìn le qiáng shàng de jiā féng lǐ, hěn nán ná chūlái.The key fell into a crack in the wall and is hard to get out.
- 夹缝。Xiǎo qǐyè zài liǎng dà jùtóu de jiā féng zhōng jiānnán shēngcún.Small businesses struggle to survive in the narrow space between two giants.
- 夹缝。Tā lìyòng fǎlǜ de jiā féng táobì le zérèn.He exploited a loophole in the law to evade responsibility.
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