/'lu:phəʊl; `lup,hol/
n
1 way of escaping a rule, the terms of a contract, etc, esp one provided by vague or careless wording （规则、合同条款等的）漏洞, 空子（尤指措辞含混或不严谨所致者）
*A good lawyer can always find a loophole. 精明的律师专会找到漏洞.
2 narrow vertical opening in the wall of a fort, etc for looking or shooting through, or to let light and air in （要塞等的）观察孔, 枪眼, 透光孔, 换气孔.

n[C]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: loop 'hole in a wall for shooting through' (14-19 centuries) + hole]
a small mistake in a law that makes it possible to avoid doing something that the law is supposed to make you do
legal/tax loophole
loophole in
　a loophole in the law