钻空子 zuānkòngzi to take advantage of a loophole
to take advantage of a loophole; to exploit an advantage; to seize the opportunity (especially to do something bad)
How to remember 钻空子: 钻 diamond + 空 empty + 子 child = to take advantage of a loophole.
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How it is used
- 'To exploit a loophole, take advantage of a gap' - usually for improper gain - 钻法律的空子 (zuān fǎlǜ de kòngzi) exploit a legal loophole.
- Read zuān (bore into) + 空子 (kòngzi, a gap/opening). Colloquial and disapproving.
- The 空 here is kòng (empty space/gap); a set verb-object phrase, insertable: 钻…的空子.