撂 (liào) - to put down & to lay down

撂Tone 4

liào ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

嘹林

撂 · liào

to put down;

to lay down;

to abandon;

to throw down;

to give up;

to cast aside;

often used in informal contexts to mean leaving something behind or quitting.

to put downto lay downto abandon

Usage highlights

put downabandon workthrow down weaponlay down burdencast asidegive up halfway

Synonyms

  • 放— to put; to place
  • 弃— to abandon; to discard
  • 丢— to throw; to lose

Antonyms

  • 拿— to take; to hold
  • 持— to hold; to maintain
  • 担— to shoulder; to bear

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He put down the heavy box (撂下重箱子).
  • She abandoned her job to travel (撂下工作去旅行).
  • The soldier threw down his weapon (撂下武器).
  • Don't just cast aside your responsibilities (别撂挑子).

Collocations

  • put down(撂下)
  • abandon work(撂挑子)
  • throw down weapon(撂下武器)
  • lay down burden(撂下担子)
  • cast aside(撂在一边)
  • give up halfway(撂半道)

Idioms

  • To throw down the carrying pole and abandon one's work(撂挑子)
  • To lay down one's burden(撂下担子)
  • To cast aside and ignore(撂在一边)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in colloquial speech to convey abrupt abandonment or quitting.
  • The phrase 撂挑子 specifically refers to abandoning one's responsibilities or duties, originally from the act of putting down a carrying pole.
  • Carries a slightly negative connotation of irresponsibility when used in certain contexts.

FAQ