The word **打下** (dǎ xià) is a verb-object compound formed by combining the verb **打** (dǎ), meaning "to hit" or "to strike," with the directional complement **下** (xià), meaning "down." Literally, it means "to strike down," but its meaning has expanded metaphorically. It is most commonly used to signify "to capture" or "to conquer" a place (e.g., 打下江山, conquer a realm), or more abstractly, "to lay a foundation" or "to achieve" something through initial effort (e.g., 打下基础, lay a groundwork). Thus, the term moves from a concrete action to denoting the successful completion of a foundational or securing act.