diu3 gou1 lei4 maai6釣高嚟賣钓高嚟卖
Jyutpingdiu3 gou1 lei4 maai6
Yalediu gōu lèih maaih
Definition
To overprice; to sell goods at a price much higher than their actual value.
colloquialshoppingpeople
How it's used
Originally referring to merchants who would hang goods high up to make them appear rare or exclusive, this phrase now describes anyone acting coy or artificially inflating their value. It is frequently applied to people in dating contexts who pretend to be uninterested to increase their perceived worth. The imagery of hanging something high suggests a deliberate, calculated effort to create an illusion of scarcity.
Examples
That shop always overprices things; the goods aren't worth that much at all.
Do you think you're in high demand? Stop playing hard to get and overvaluing yourself.
Related words
Common phrases
an attitude of playing hard to get
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being expensive. The phrase implies a deceptive or manipulative strategy to inflate value rather than just a high market price.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.
