下台 xiàtái to go off the stage
to go off the stage; to fall from position of prestige; to step down (from office etc); to disentangle oneself; to get off the hook
How to remember 下台: 下 down + 台 platform = to go off the stage.
Characters
How it is used
- 'To step down from office', or literally leave the stage - 逼他下台 (bī tā xiàtái) force him out of office.
- Also the face idiom 下不了台 (xià bu liǎo tái) be stuck in an awkward spot with no graceful exit.