dik1 hei2 sam1 gon1的起心肝

Jyutpingdik1 hei2 sam1 gon1

Yaledīk héi sām gōn

Definition

To pull oneself together and put one's mind to something; to make a firm resolution to do something.

colloquialdaily actionsemotion

How it's used

This idiom implies a sense of overcoming procrastination or inertia to finally tackle a difficult or long-delayed task. It carries a nuance of effortful resolve, often used when someone has been putting something off for a long time. It is frequently used in the context of self-improvement or chores that require significant mental preparation.

Examples

nei5你gei2幾si4時sin1先hang2肯dik1的hei2起sam1心gon1肝heoi3去gaam2減fei4肥aa4呀？

When will you finally be determined to lose weight?

ngo5我zung1終jyu1於dik1的hei2起sam1心gon1肝zap1執hou2好gaan3間fong2房laa3喇。

I finally put my mind to it and tidied up my room.

Common phrases

dik1的hei2起sam1心gon1肝duk6讀syu1書

to be determined to study hard

dik1的hei2起sam1心gon1肝zou6做wan6運dung6動

to put one's mind to exercising

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal action involving the heart or liver, but it is purely idiomatic. It is not used for simple decisions like choosing what to eat, but rather for tasks that require sustained effort or overcoming a lack of motivation.