gaau2 dou3 jat1 wok6 pou5攪到一鑊泡搅到一镬泡
Jyutpinggaau2 dou3 jat1 wok6 pou5
Yalegáau dou yāt wohk póuh
Definition
To make a complete mess, cause havoc, or turn a situation into a total disaster.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
This idiom uses the imagery of a pot of bubbling, ruined food to describe a situation that has spiraled out of control. It is highly expressive and carries a strong sense of frustration or blame. It is most commonly used when someone's incompetence or a series of mistakes leads to a chaotic outcome that is difficult to fix.
Examples
He messed up the plan and caused a total disaster.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simple mistakes. It is reserved for situations that are genuinely messy or disastrous, not just minor errors or small oversights.
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.
