daa2 se4 ceoi4 gwan3 soeng5打蛇隨棍上打蛇随棍上

Jyutpingdaa2 se4 ceoi4 gwan3 soeng5

Yaledá sèh chèuih gwan séuhng

動詞

Definition

To exploit a situation to one's advantage, either by counterattacking a weakness or pressing a successful first step.

figurativeto take advantage of an opponent's weakness to counterattack
figurativeto seize an opportunity or success to take things a step further

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

Originally describing a dangerous situation where a snake climbs up the stick used to strike it, this idiom now carries a strategic nuance of turning a small opening into a larger advantage. It is frequently used in workplace or negotiation contexts to describe someone who is quick to capitalize on a concession or a mistake. Unlike simply taking advantage of someone, it implies a sequence of events where the first success fuels the next move.

Examples

keoi5佢jat1一gin3見dou3到jau5有gei1機wui2會，zik1即hak1刻daa2打se4蛇ceoi4隨gwan3棍soeng5上jiu1要kau4求gaa1加jan4人gung1工。

As soon as he saw the chance, he seized the opportunity to ask for a raise.

nei5你m4唔hou2好bei2俾wai2位keoi5佢jap6入，siu2小sam1心keoi5佢daa2打se4蛇ceoi4隨gwan3棍soeng5上aa4呀。

Don't give him an opening, be careful he doesn't use it to his advantage.

Common phrases

sing4乘gei1機daa2打se4蛇ceoi4隨gwan3棍soeng5上

to seize the chance and push one's advantage further

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with simply being opportunistic, but it specifically requires a preceding action or opening provided by the other party. It is not used for general luck or seizing an opportunity that appears out of thin air.