垫底 diàndǐ to put something on the bottom
to put something on the bottom; to eat something to tide oneself over until mealtime; to lay the foundation; to come last in the rankings
How to remember 垫底: 垫 cushion + 底 bottom = to put something on the bottom.
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How it is used
- To come last, or to lay a base - 成绩垫底 (chéngjì diàndǐ) rank at the very bottom; 先吃点东西垫底 (xiān chī diǎn dōngxi diàndǐ) eat a little to tide oneself over.
- Two colloquial senses: being dead last, and putting something at the bottom/stomach as a foundation. Spoken.