# 高抬贵手

gāo tái guì shǒu

Please be lenient or give someone a break

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Raise your honored hand

**Traditional Chinese:** 高抬貴手

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Politely or playfully ask someone to ease pressure.

Can sound theatrical or sarcastic.

## Understanding the expression

Raising the hand suggests withholding a blow or easing the force of an action. The respectful wording turns that image into a plea for leniency. Someone may ask a critic to be gentler, a creditor to allow time, or a friend to stop teasing. The expression is often conversational and slightly dramatic. It requests mercy rather than proving entitlement to it, so a reason and a practical proposal can make the request clearer.

## Examples

请高抬贵手，别再取笑我了。

### Traditional Chinese

請高抬貴手，別再取笑我了。

qǐng gāo tái guì shǒu ， bié zài qǔ xiào wǒ le 。

Please give me a break and stop teasing me.

这次请高抬贵手，给我一天补交。

### Traditional Chinese

這次請高抬貴手，給我一天補交。

zhè cì qǐng gāo tái guì shǒu ， gěi wǒ yì tiān bǔ jiāo 。

Please be lenient this time and give me a day to submit it.

他求对方高抬贵手，暂缓催款。

### Traditional Chinese

他求對方高抬貴手，暫緩催款。

tā qiú duì fāng gāo tái guì shǒu ， zàn huǎn cuī kuǎn 。

He asked the other party to ease up and delay demanding payment.

评论时请高抬贵手，我还是新手。

### Traditional Chinese

評論時請高抬貴手，我還是新手。

píng lùn shí qǐng gāo tái guì shǒu ， wǒ hái shì xīn shǒu 。

Please be gentle in your criticism; I am still a beginner.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%AB%98%E6%8A%AC%E8%B2%B4%E6%89%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=815&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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