下放 xiàfànɡ verb ① （指权力） transfer to a lower level ▸ 权力下放 transfer authority to a lower level ▸ 下放审批权限 delegate the power of examination and approval to the lower levels ② （指人） send officials to work in grass roots units or to do manual labour in the countryside or in a factory ▸ 下放劳动 transfer a cadre to do manual labour ▸ 下放到农村 transfer sb to work in the countryside |