手てを抜ぬく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

cut corners; slack off; hold back

Idiomatic expression meaning to do something carelessly or with less effort than usual, or to go easy on someone in a competitive situation. The nuance depends on context: it can be negative (shoddy work) or neutral (not giving full effort against a weaker opponent).

• 仕し事ごとで手てを抜ぬくと、あとで問もん題だいになるよ。

  If you cut corners at work, it'll cause problems later.

• 相あい手てが初しょ心しん者しゃだったので、少すこし手てを抜ぬいてあげた。

  Since my opponent was a beginner, I held back a little.