地步 dìbù stage
stage; degree (to which a situation has evolved); a (usually bad) situation; leeway
How to remember 地步: 地 ground + 步 a step = stage.
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How it is used
- A (usually bad) point/state that a situation has reached - 到了这种地步 (dào le zhè zhǒng dìbù) come to such a pass; 穷到揭不开锅的地步 (qióng dào jiē bù kāi guō de dìbù) so poor one can't cook a meal.
- Also 'leeway' (留有地步). Mostly marks how far things have deteriorated. Colloquial and written.