漏网之鱼 fish that slipped through the net
Explanation
比喻侥幸逃脱的坏人或敌人。
It refers to criminals or enemies who escaped by luck.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋国攻打秦国，大获全胜，俘获了秦军三位大将：孟明视、白乙丙、西乞术。晋襄公本着“冤冤相报何时了”的妇人之仁，不顾大臣反对，将这三位俘虏释放。然而，这三人并没有感恩图报，而是逃回秦国，继续为秦国效力。晋国大将先轸和阳处父对晋襄公的这一举动极为不满，立刻率兵追赶。孟明视三人一路狂奔，最终逃到黄河边，乘小船逃脱，成为了晋国这次战争中的漏网之鱼。
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Kingdom of Jin attacked the Kingdom of Qin and won a great victory, capturing three great Qin generals: Meng Ming Shi, Bai Yi Bing, and Xi Qi Shu. Duke Xiang of Jin, guided by feminine kindness, ignored his ministers’ objections and released the three prisoners. However, these three did not return with gratitude, but instead fled back to Qin and continued to serve the Kingdom of Qin. The generals Xian Zhen and Yang Chu Fu of Jin were extremely displeased with Duke Xiang’s actions and immediately led their troops in pursuit. Meng Ming Shi and the other two fled all the way to the Yellow River, boarded a small boat, and escaped, becoming the漏网之鱼of this war.
Usage
多用于指逃脱法网的罪犯或敌人。
Often used to refer to criminals or enemies who have escaped the law.
Examples
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尽管敌人大部分被抓获，但仍有一些漏网之鱼逃脱了。
jǐnguǎn dírén dà bùfen bèi zhuāhuò, dàn réng yǒu yīxiē lòuwǎng zhī yú táotuō le
Although most of the enemy were captured, some still escaped as漏网之鱼.
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经过警方全力追捕，大部分犯罪嫌疑人已被抓获归案，只有少数漏网之鱼还在逃窜。
jīngguò gōngfāng quánlì zhuībǔ, dà bùfen fànzuì xiányí rén yǐ bèi zhuāhuò guī'àn, zhǐyǒu shǎoshù lòuwǎng zhī yú hái zài táocuàn
After the full police pursuit, most criminal suspects have been arrested, and only a few漏网之鱼are still absconding.