The Chinese word "下课" (xià kè) is a verb-object compound formed by combining the verb "下" (xià), meaning "to descend" or "to finish," with the noun "课" (kè), meaning "class" or "lesson." Literally, it means "to finish class" or "for class to be over," and it is commonly used by students and teachers to indicate the end of a lesson. Figuratively, the term has also evolved into a popular slang expression meaning "to step down" or "to be removed from a position," extending the idea of a session ending to the conclusion of someone's tenure, such as a coach or official being dismissed.