giu6 coeng4 goek3撬墻腳撬墙脚
Jyutpinggiu6 coeng4 goek3
Yalegiuh chèuhng geuk
Definition
To steal someone's romantic partner; to entice someone away from their lover.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Originating from the construction industry, this idiom metaphorically describes weakening a structure by digging out the foundation stones. It is exclusively used for romantic relationships and carries a strong sense of moral condemnation. You will rarely hear it used in a neutral or positive context.
Examples
He actually snatched away someone's partner, that is really low.
Related words
Common phrases
to have one's partner stolen
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe stealing a friend or a business client, as it is strictly reserved for romantic partners. Using it for other contexts will sound confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
