gau2 ngau4 ji6 fu2 zi1 lik6九牛二虎之力

Jyutpinggau2 ngau4 ji6 fu2 zi1 lik6

Yalegáu ngàuh yih fú jī lihk

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Tremendous effort, strength, or mighty force.

immense physical strength
figurativetremendous effort

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe an intense, exhausting effort required to overcome a significant obstacle. It is often employed with a touch of hyperbole, especially when the task at hand might not actually be that difficult, adding a slightly humorous or dramatic tone to the speaker's frustration.

Examples

ngo5我jung6用zo2咗gau2九ngau4牛ji6二fu2虎zi1之lik6力sin1先zi3至bun1搬dak1得juk1郁go3個gwai6櫃。

I used all my might to finally move the cabinet.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使ceot1出gau2九ngau4牛ji6二fu2虎zi1之lik6力heoi3去hoi1開go3個gun3罐tau2頭aa4呀？

Do you really need to use all your strength just to open a can?

Common phrases

sai2使ceot1出gau2九ngau4牛ji6二fu2虎zi1之lik6力

to exert all one's strength

jung6用zo2咗gau2九ngau4牛ji6二fu2虎zi1之lik6力

used all one's might

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of physical strength, but it is almost exclusively used to describe the process of exerting effort to achieve a result, rather than someone's inherent power.