踩盘子

踩盘子

Literally means:

step on the plate

Actually means:

(of robbers, burglars, etc.) examine circumstances in advance before committing a robbery or burglary

Thieves or other criminals go to the crime scene beforehand to examine the circumstances. It also means that people who will participate in a certain activity go to find out beforehand about the place where the activity will be held. The phrase usually appears in martial arts novels.

盗贼为方便作坏事而事先查探作案现场的各种情况。也指参加某种活动的人事先了解、熟悉活动地点的各种情况。多出现在武侠小说中。