diu3 daai6 jyu2釣大魚钓大鱼
Jyutpingdiu3 daai6 jyu2
Yalediu daaih yú
Definition
To catch a big fish, or figuratively, to catch a major criminal.
- to catch a big fish
- figurativeto catch a major criminal
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Metaphorically refers to capturing a high profile target or a major criminal mastermind rather than a petty thief. It carries a sense of strategic patience and long term planning, as the process of catching such a target is rarely quick or easy. It is frequently used in news reports or discussions regarding police operations and corruption investigations.
Examples
The police planned for a long time and finally succeeded in catching the big fish.
Related words
Common phrases
to plan for a major arrest
to successfully catch a big target
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe actual fishing, as it is strictly a metaphor for investigations or high stakes negotiations. Using it to describe a literal large fish will sound confusing or humorous to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
