dit3 ngaan5 geng2跌眼鏡跌眼镜
Jyutpingdit3 ngaan5 geng2
Yaledit ngáahn géng
Definition
To fall short of or go against expectations; to be unexpected.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
Often used to describe a situation where a favorite or a high-profile candidate fails to perform as expected. The phrase implies a sense of shock or disbelief, as if the outcome was so surprising that one's spectacles would physically fall off their face. It is frequently intensified by adding the aspect marker 晒 to emphasize the complete nature of the surprise.
Examples
His performance was so poor this time, it really went against all expectations.
Related words
Common phrases
to cause surprise or shock
completely against all expectations
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a literal accident where someone drops their eyewear. It is strictly a figurative expression for unexpected outcomes or disappointing results.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
