daan1 coeng1 pat1 maa5單槍匹馬单枪匹马

Jyutpingdaan1 coeng1 pat1 maa5

Yaledāan chēung pāt máh

動詞

Definition

To do something entirely alone or single-handedly without any help.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a heroic or dramatic undertone, often implying that the person is facing a difficult task or a large group of opponents without any support. It is frequently used to emphasize the courage or capability of an individual when they are outnumbered or overwhelmed. While it can be used in casual conversation, it retains a slightly literary flavor compared to plain phrases like 自己一個.

Examples

keoi5佢daan1單coeng1槍pat1匹maa5馬gaau2搞dim6掂saai3晒di1啲je5嘢，zan1真hai6係hou2好ging6勁。

He handled everything all by himself, he is truly impressive.

nei5你daa2打syun3算daan1單coeng1槍pat1匹maa5馬heoi3去tiu1挑zin3戰keoi5佢dei6哋aa4呀？

Are you planning to challenge them all by yourself?

Common phrases

daan1單coeng1槍pat1匹maa5馬heoi3去cong2闖

to venture out all alone

daan1單coeng1槍pat1匹maa5馬deoi3對kong3抗

to confront all by oneself

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe mundane, everyday solitary tasks like eating lunch or reading a book, as it specifically implies a struggle, a challenge, or a significant undertaking.