Definition
点到为止 is a four-character idiom meaning 'to stop at the right point' — it describes saying or doing just enough without going too far. You use it to remind someone to be tactful or moderate, often in conversation or critique. In martial arts and competitions, it literally means to touch lightly and then stop, without causing harm. This idiom is very different from the misleading English 'go through the motions', which means to do something perfunctorily.
f.e.
to stop at the right pointto know when enough is enough(martial arts) to stop a technique upon contact without injuring the opponent
Examples
- 点到为止，。Tā shuōhuà zǒngshì diǎn dào wéi, jì biǎodá le guāndiǎn yòu bù shāng rén.He always knows when to stop in speaking — he expresses his point without hurting others.
- 点到为止，。Zhè jiàn shì nǐ diǎn dào wéi jiù xíng le, bùyòng shuō de tài xiángxì.Just touch on this matter briefly — you don't need to go into detail.
- 点到为止，。Bǐsài guīzé qiángdiào diǎn dào wéi, bù yǔnxǔ yònglì jīdǎ duìshǒu.The competition rules emphasize stopping on contact; powerful blows are not allowed.
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