daam1 tin1 mong6 dei6頕天望地

Jyutpingdaam1 tin1 mong6 dei6
Yaledāam tīn mohng deih

Definition

To be inattentive or distracted, looking around aimlessly with nothing to do.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom describes a state of being mentally absent or physically restless, often implying that the person is bored or avoiding the task at hand. It paints a vivid picture of someone whose eyes are wandering everywhere except where they should be focused. It is frequently used by teachers or parents to scold someone for not paying attention.

Examples

Don't be distracted and look around during class.
He is always looking around aimlessly, I wonder what he is thinking.

Common phrases

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply looking at the sky or ground; the phrase specifically carries a negative connotation of being unfocused or disengaged from the current situation.

Grammar color guide

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