cou2 muk6 gaai1 bing1草木皆兵
Definition
Extremely nervous, paranoid, or easily frightened; to mistake every bush and tree for an enemy soldier.
How it's used
Originating from a historical account of the Battle of Feishui, this idiom describes a state of intense anxiety where one interprets every minor detail as a sign of impending danger. It is frequently used to describe someone who is overly suspicious or prone to panic in high pressure situations. Unlike simple nervousness, it implies a projection of fear onto neutral surroundings.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of soldiers in a forest, but it is strictly a metaphorical expression for psychological distress. Avoid using it to describe someone who is just shy or quiet, as it specifically requires an element of fear or suspicion.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
