daap3 co3 caak6 syun4搭錯賊船搭错贼船

Jyutpingdaap3 co3 caak6 syun4

Yaledaap cho chaahk syùhn

Definition

To associate with the wrong people, make a bad career move, or be misled into a bad situation.

colloquialpeoplemoney

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of regret and implies that the speaker was lured into a situation that turned out to be harmful or unprofitable. It is often used in the context of business ventures, bad investments, or joining a group that ends up having a poor reputation. The imagery of a pirate ship suggests that once you are on board, it is difficult to leave without consequence.

Examples

nei5你dong1當co1初seon3信co3錯jan4人，zan1真hai6係daap3搭co3錯caak6賊syun4船laa3喇。

You trusted the wrong person back then, you really got on the wrong boat.

dim2點gaai2解nei5你wui2會daap3搭co3錯caak6賊syun4船tau4投zi1資le1呢gaan1間gung1公si1司？

Why did you get involved in this company and lose money?

Common phrases

daap3搭co3錯caak6賊syun4船

to get on the wrong boat

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe simply taking the wrong bus or train, as that would be 搭錯車. This phrase is strictly metaphorical and reserved for situations involving bad judgment or being misled by others.