can3 keoi5 beng6 , lo2 keoi5 meng6趁佢病，攞佢命趁渠病，攞渠命
Jyutpingcan3 keoi5 beng6 , lo2 keoi5 meng6
Yalechan kéuih behng , ló kéuih mehng
Definition
To take advantage of someone when they are in a vulnerable situation.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe someone who exploits a person's temporary weakness or misfortune to gain an unfair advantage or to deliver a final blow. It carries a strong sense of moral condemnation, implying that the action is cowardly or dishonorable. It is frequently used in competitive contexts like business, sports, or interpersonal conflicts.
Examples
His business is doing poorly right now, don't kick him while he's down.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal medical instruction, but it is strictly a metaphorical expression about social or professional conduct. Never use it to describe actual medical care or helping someone who is sick.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
