手下留情 shǒu xià liú qíng

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. start off leniently (idiom); please do not be too strict with me
  2. Do not judge me too harshly.
  3. Look favorably on my humble efforts.

CHARACTERS

手 shǒu
HSK 2
hand
下 xià
HSK 1
under, underneath, below; down; inferior; bring down
留 liú
HSK 3
stop, halt; stay, detain, keep
情 qíng
HSK 2
feeling, sentiment, emotion