fei1 zoeng6 gwo3 ho4飛象過河飞象过河

Jyutpingfei1 zoeng6 gwo3 ho4

Yalefēi jeuhng gwo hòh

語句

Definition

To break a rule, or to reach across a dining table to get food that is far away.

figurativeto break a rule
to reach across the table to grab food that is far from oneself

colloquialfooddaily actions

How it's used

Originating from the rules of Chinese chess where the elephant piece cannot cross the river, this phrase is used metaphorically for overstepping boundaries. It is most commonly heard at the dinner table to call out someone reaching across others to grab a dish. When used in a professional or social context, it implies someone is bypassing established procedures or interfering in matters that are not their responsibility.

Examples

nei5你gep2夾sung3餸m4唔hou2好fei1飛zoeng6象gwo3過ho4河aa4呀。

Don't reach across the table for food that's far away.

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢seng4成jat6日fei1飛zoeng6象gwo3過ho4河，gaau2搞dou3到daai6大gaa1家dou1都hou2好faan4煩。

He always breaks the rules at work, which annoys everyone.

Common phrases

gep2夾sung3餸fei1飛zoeng6象gwo3過ho4河

reaching across the table for food

zou6做si6事fei1飛zoeng6象gwo3過ho4河

to overstep one's authority

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone simply being ambitious or efficient. It specifically carries a negative connotation of being rude, intrusive, or violating a protocol.