am3 dou6 can4 cong1暗度陳倉暗度陈仓
Jyutpingam3 dou6 can4 cong1
Yaleam douh chàhn chōng
Definition
To operate covertly or deceive with a feint; to carry out an activity in secret while distracting attention.
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How it's used
This idiom is almost exclusively used to describe deceptive behavior in business, politics, or personal relationships where one party creates a distraction to hide their true intentions. It carries a stronger connotation of strategic manipulation compared to simply being sneaky or secretive. It is common to hear it used when someone is being double-crossed or when a competitor is making a surprise move.
Examples
They are cooperating on the surface, but are actually operating covertly to steal the client.
Related words
Common phrases
to feign one thing while doing another
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for being quiet or low-key, but it specifically requires the element of a diversion or a feint to be used correctly.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
