caau2 zo2 jat1 wok6炒咗一鑊炒咗一镬

Jyutpingcaau2 zo2 jat1 wok6

Yalecháau jó yāt wohk

Definition

To have made a real mess of something; to have completely ruined or failed at a task.

colloquialdaily actionswork

How it's used

This expression is a vivid metaphor derived from cooking, implying that the entire contents of a wok have been ruined. It is almost exclusively used to describe a significant failure or a disastrous outcome in a project, task, or situation. It carries a strong sense of finality and regret, often used when things have gone completely off the rails.

Examples

gam1今ci3次go3個gai3計waak6劃zan1真hai6係caau2炒zo2咗jat1一wok6鑊laa3喇。

This project has really been a total disaster this time.

nei5你dim2點gaai2解wui2會gaau2搞dou3到caau2炒zo2咗jat1一wok6鑊㗎？

Why did you end up making such a huge mess of it?

Common phrases

seng4成gin2件si6事caau2炒zo2咗jat1一wok6鑊

the whole thing turned into a disaster

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe a minor mistake or a small error. It specifically refers to a situation where the entire effort is considered a failure or a complete mess.