fong3 fu2 gwai1 saan1放虎歸山放虎归山

Jyutpingfong3 fu2 gwai1 saan1

Yalefong fú gwāi sāan

動詞

Definition

To let an enemy go and risk them causing trouble for you in the future.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

Carries a strong sense of warning about the long term consequences of being overly lenient with a dangerous opponent. It is frequently used in discussions about business competition, legal disputes, or interpersonal conflicts where one party has the upper hand but chooses not to finish the job. The imagery of a tiger returning to its natural habitat emphasizes that the threat is not just escaping, but regaining its full power.

Examples

nei5你gam3咁joeng6樣fong3放fu2虎gwai1歸saan1山，ci4遲zou2早wui2會hau6後fui3悔㗎。

If you let him go like this, you will regret it sooner or later.

dim2點gaai2解nei5你jiu3要fong3放fu2虎gwai1歸saan1山，m4唔zik6直zip3接bou3報ging2警cyu5處lei5理？

Why did you let him go instead of just calling the police?

Common phrases

m4唔hou2好fong3放fu2虎gwai1歸saan1山

do not let the enemy go

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe simply letting an animal go or releasing a harmless person. It specifically implies that the person being released is a threat who will likely retaliate or cause significant harm in the future.