放鸽子 (fàng gēzi) to fail to keep an appointment; to stand sb. up

Usage:

“放鸽子”既指释放鸽子,又指不遵守约定。古代人们都是用鸽子送信。据说有一次,两个人约定通信,可是其中一个人只放了鸽子,却没有写信,违背了约定。所以,后来放鸽子指不遵守约定,尤其是指失约。经常使用的结构是“放某人鸽子”和“被某人放鸽子”。
“放鸽子” means both releasing pigeons and failing to keep an appointment. In ancient times, people sent letters by pigeons. It is said that once up on a time, two people promised to write letters to each other. However, one of them released the pigeon without a letter; he failed to keep the appointment. Therefore, “放鸽子(to release a pigeon)” means to stand sb. up, especially failing to keep an appointment. The structures “放某人的鸽子”and“被某人放鸽子” are often used.

Sentences:

1、真是不敢相信!老师居然为了看足球比赛,放全班学生鸽子!
Zhēn shì bùgǎn xiāngxìn! Lǎoshī jūrán wèile kàn zúqiú bǐsài, fàng quánbān xuéshēng gēzi!
Unbelievable! The teacher stood all the students up because he wanted to watch the football game.

2、你怎么能容忍一个第一次约会就放你鸽子的男人?
Nǐ zěnme néng róngrěn yígè dì yí cì yuēhuì jiù fàng nǐ gēzi de nánrén?
How can you put up with a guy who stands you up on the first date?

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