caai2 gong3 sin3踩鋼線踩钢线
Jyutpingcaai2 gong3 sin3
Yalecháai gong sin
Definition
To walk a tightrope, or to do something extremely risky and dangerous.
- tightrope walking; to perform a tightrope act
- figurativeto do something extremely risky where a minor mistake leads to disaster
colloquialother
How it's used
Beyond the literal circus performance, this phrase is a common metaphor for navigating high stakes situations where there is zero margin for error. It is frequently used in professional or financial contexts to describe someone pushing legal or ethical boundaries to the limit. The imagery conveys a sense of precariousness that implies a fall is inevitable if one loses focus.
Examples
He is always taking such huge risks, he will get into trouble sooner or later.
Working like this is just like walking on a tightrope, it is so dangerous.
Related words
Common phrases
as dangerous as walking a tightrope
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
