留台阶

留台阶

Literally means:

leave the steps

Actually means:

offer someone way out; give someone an opportunity to extricate himself from an awkward position

台阶 refers to steps like stairs in front of a door or on a ramp for people to walk up and down. The phrase means giving someone a way or an opportunity to decently get out of an embarrassing situation.

台阶建在门前或坡道上供人上下行走的一级一级的梯状设施。留台阶，给人流出体面摆脱难堪或尴尬处境的途径或机会。