diu3 jim4 seoi2吊鹽水吊盐水
Jyutpingdiu3 jim4 seoi2
Yalediu yìhm séui
Definition
To put on an intravenous drip, or figuratively, to barely survive.
- to administer intravenous fluids, such as saline or glucose
- figurativeto barely survive; to be on life support; to keep something barely alive
colloquialhealthwork
How it's used
Beyond the literal medical procedure, this phrase is frequently used as a metaphor for a business or project that is struggling to stay afloat with minimal resources. It implies a state of being on life support, where the entity is not thriving but is just barely avoiding total collapse. The imagery of the slow drip perfectly captures the feeling of a slow, painful, and precarious struggle for survival.
Examples
He is very sick and needs to be hospitalized for an IV drip.
The shop's business is so bad, it's basically just barely surviving.
Related words
Common phrases
to be hospitalized for an IV drip
business is barely surviving
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
