caai2 bo1 ce1踩波車踩波车
Jyutpingcaai2 bo1 ce1
Yalecháai bō chē
Definition
To lose balance and fall over after accidentally stepping on the ball in association football.
colloquialsportsslang
How it's used
Originally a term for a clumsy mistake in soccer, this phrase has evolved into a common metaphor for any situation where someone trips up or fails due to their own carelessness. It carries a humorous and slightly mocking tone, often used when someone makes a silly error that could have been easily avoided. You will frequently hear it used in casual conversation to describe someone making a fool of themselves in public.
Examples
He fell over the ball as soon as he started dribbling, it is so embarrassing.
Did you step on the ball and fall again? Be more careful when playing soccer.
Related words
Common phrases
always tripping over the ball
tripped over the ball again
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a deliberate tactical move or a foul committed by an opponent. It specifically refers to an accidental, self-inflicted stumble caused by poor footwork or lack of attention.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
