打下手 dǎxiàshǒu to act in a supporting role
to act in a supporting role; figuratively to play second fiddle
How to remember 打下手: 打 hit + 下 down + 手 hand = to act in a supporting role.
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How it is used
- To assist / play the supporting role - be someone's helper, not the lead - 我给大厨打下手 (wǒ gěi dàchú dǎ xiàshǒu) I assist the head chef.
- Colloquial; 下手 here is the 'lower hand' = assistant position, so it means doing the auxiliary work under a主手 (the main person).
- Often modest or slightly self-deprecating: to 'play second fiddle.'