底线 dǐxiàn bottom line
bottom line; the limit of what one is prepared to accept; (sports) baseline; (sewing) under thread; spy; informer; plant
How to remember 底线: 底 bottom + 线 line = bottom line.
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How it is used
- One's bottom line - the limit one won't cross - 这是我的底线 (zhè shì wǒ de dǐxiàn) this is my bottom line.
- Widely figurative for moral/negotiation limits: 触碰底线 (chùpèng dǐxiàn) to cross the line; 道德底线 (dàodé dǐxiàn) moral baseline.
- Also concrete: the baseline in sports (球场底线); the metaphorical 'limit' sense dominates in daily use.