co4鋤锄

Jyutpingco4

Yalechòh

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To hoe soil, or to bring negative consequences or deserved punishment to someone.

to hoe; to loosen soil using a hoe
slangto bring negative consequences to someone; to punish someone

colloquialworkdaily actions

How it's used

Beyond its literal agricultural meaning, this verb is frequently used in professional settings to describe the act of firing or dismissing an employee. It carries a sense of suddenness or harshness, similar to how a hoe cuts through soil. When used in this figurative sense, it often implies that the person being dismissed has made a significant mistake or is being targeted for removal.

Examples

nung4農fu1夫ling1拎zyu6住baa2把co4鋤tau2頭heoi3去co4鋤dei6地。

The farmer took a hoe to till the land.

nei5你zoi3再gam3咁laan2懶，ci4遲zou2早bei3畀lou5老sai3細co4鋤zau2走nei5你。

If you keep being this lazy, the boss will fire you sooner or later.

Common phrases

co4鋤zau2走

to fire someone

co4鋤sung1鬆

to hoe and loosen soil

Common mistake

Do not confuse the literal action of digging with the slang usage of firing someone. While it is common to hear people say someone got 鋤走, using it in a formal business report would be inappropriate as it is strictly colloquial and carries a slightly aggressive tone.