Significado
Refusing to take responsibility
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'Gotong Royong' makes 'lepas tangan' a very shameful act. In a village, if you don't help with a communal project, you are socially ostracized. Javanese culture values 'Eling lan Waspada' (being mindful and alert). 'Lepas tangan' is seen as a lack of 'Eling' (mindfulness) toward one's social duties. In the fast-paced corporate world of Jakarta, 'lepas tangan' is a common complaint against 'toxic' bosses who take credit for success but abandon the team during failure. In Minangkabau culture, which is matrilineal and values trade, responsibility toward the 'kaum' (clan) is vital. 'Lepas tangan' can lead to losing one's inheritance rights.
It's Accusatory
Be careful using this with your boss or elders, as it is a direct criticism of their character.
Use with 'Dari'
Always follow with 'dari' to specify what is being abandoned (e.g., lepas tangan dari masalah).
Significado
Refusing to take responsibility
It's Accusatory
Be careful using this with your boss or elders, as it is a direct criticism of their character.
Use with 'Dari'
Always follow with 'dari' to specify what is being abandoned (e.g., lepas tangan dari masalah).
The 'Cuci Tangan' Nuance
If someone is trying to look innocent after a disaster, 'cuci tangan' is the more biting insult.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
Setelah menabrak kucing itu, pengendara motor itu langsung ____ dan pergi begitu saja.
The context describes someone avoiding responsibility after an accident.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct usage of 'lepas tangan':
This is the only figurative use meaning 'avoiding responsibility'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kenapa proyek ini berantakan?' B: 'Ketua tim kita ____, dia tidak mau mengurus dokumennya.'
'Lepas tangan' fits because the leader abandoned their duty. 'Turun tangan' would mean the opposite (getting involved).
Match the situation to the idiom.
A father refuses to pay for his child's school fees and disappears.
This is a classic case of abandoning responsibility.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Lepas Tangan vs Cuci Tangan
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSetelah menabrak kucing itu, pengendara motor itu langsung ____ dan pergi begitu saja.
The context describes someone avoiding responsibility after an accident.
Choose the correct usage of 'lepas tangan':
This is the only figurative use meaning 'avoiding responsibility'.
A: 'Kenapa proyek ini berantakan?' B: 'Ketua tim kita ____, dia tidak mau mengurus dokumennya.'
'Lepas tangan' fits because the leader abandoned their duty. 'Turun tangan' would mean the opposite (getting involved).
A father refuses to pay for his child's school fees and disappears.
This is a classic case of abandoning responsibility.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, in 99% of cases, it implies a negative abandonment of duty.
Yes, it is often used for parents who neglect their children's needs.
The formal version is 'berlepas tangan'.
No, it's a standard idiom used in both newspapers and daily talk.
No, that would mean a hand has physically detached from a body.
Use 'Jangan menyerah'. 'Jangan lepas tangan' means 'Don't abandon your duty'.
Yes, if a coach quits when the team is losing, they are 'lepas tangan'.
Yes, usually a person or an organization.
No, 'panjang tangan' means a thief.
No, only for people or institutions with agency.
Frases relacionadas
Cuci tangan
similarTo avoid blame for a mistake.
Turun tangan
contrastTo step in and help.
Lempar batu sembunyi tangan
builds onTo do something bad and then hide.
Berpangku tangan
similarTo sit idly by.
Tangan besi
contrastTo rule with an iron fist.
