gai1 bei2 daa2 jan4 ngaa4 gaau3 jyun5雞脾打人牙骹軟鸡脾打人牙骹软

Jyutpinggai1 bei2 daa2 jan4 ngaa4 gaau3 jyun5

Yalegāi béi dá yàhn ngàh gaau yúhn

Definition

To persuade or silence someone by offering them benefits or bribes.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom describes the psychological effect of accepting favors or gifts from someone, which makes it difficult to refuse their subsequent requests or maintain a firm stance against them. It highlights the social obligation created by receiving benefits, often implying that the person's resolve has been softened by the material gain. It is frequently used in contexts involving bribery, negotiation, or simply social pressure.

Examples

nei5你ceng2請keoi5佢sik6食caan1餐hou2好ge3嘅，gai1雞bei2脾daa2打jan4人ngaa4牙gaau3骹jyun5軟maa3嘛。

Treat him to a good meal, you know how it is when you've taken someone's hospitality.

keoi5佢sau1收zo2咗jan4人dei6哋gam3咁do1多lai5禮mat6物，dim2點wui2會m4唔gai1雞pei4脾daa1打jan4人ngaa4牙gaau3骹jyun5軟aa1呀？

He accepted so many gifts from them, how could he not be swayed by their generosity?

Common phrases

gai1雞bei2脾daa2打jan4人

using a chicken drumstick to hit someone

ngaa4牙gaau3骹jyun5軟

jaw becomes soft

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to describe physical violence or actual injury to the jaw. It is strictly a metaphorical expression about social influence and the tendency to be more agreeable after receiving a favor.