Meaning and Usage
"把柄" literally means "handle" but is commonly used metaphorically to refer to a weakness, secret, or piece of information that someone can use to control, threaten, or manipulate another person.
Common Contexts
It often appears in contexts involving personal relationships, workplace politics, or any situation where someone might exploit another's vulnerability.
Collocations and Patterns
- 留下把柄 (liú xià bǎbǐng): to leave a handle/weakness for someone to use
- 有把柄 (yǒu bǎbǐng): to have a handle/weakness on someone
- 成为把柄 (chéngwéi bǎbǐng): to become someone's handle/weakness
Usage Notes
When using 把柄, speakers imply a negative leverage point that can be exploited. It is often used in a cautionary sense to warn against careless behavior that might give others an advantage. It is not used for neutral or positive meanings.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 把柄 with 把手 (bǎshǒu), which means a physical handle or knob. 把柄 is metaphorical and relates to vulnerabilities or secrets.