dit3 dou2 laa3 faan1 zaa4 saa1跌倒揦番揸沙
Jyutpingdit3 dou2 laa3 faan1 zaa4 saa1
Yaledit dóu la fāan jàh sā
Definition
To try to cover up one's failures or mistakes in order to save face.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom vividly describes the act of grabbing a handful of sand while falling to avoid looking clumsy. It is used when someone refuses to admit a mistake and instead makes excuses or acts as if the error was intentional. The tone is critical and often used to call out someone who is being stubborn or dishonest about their shortcomings.
Examples
He clearly made a mistake, yet he still tries to save face.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal action, but it is strictly metaphorical. It is not used for physical accidents, only for social or professional blunders where someone is trying to maintain their reputation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
