gung1 kei4 bat1 bei6攻其不備攻其不备

Jyutpinggung1 kei4 bat1 bei6

Yalegūng kèih bāt beih

語句

Definition

To attack when the opponent is unprepared; to catch someone off guard.

colloquialother

How it's used

This idiom is often used in strategic contexts, such as sports, business competition, or even playful pranks. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight despite being used in everyday speech, so it is best reserved for situations where you want to emphasize a calculated or tactical approach.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋soeng2想gung1攻kei4其bat1不bei6備，dat6突jin4然gaan1間cung1衝jap6入lai4嚟。

They wanted to catch us off guard and suddenly rushed in.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使nam2諗zyu6住gung1攻kei4其bat1不bei6備aa4呀？

Are you planning to catch them off guard?

Common phrases

can3趁gei1機gung1攻kei4其bat1不bei6備

take the chance to attack when unprepared

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple verb phrase, but it functions as a set idiom that describes a specific tactical maneuver. Avoid using it to describe simple surprises, as it implies a deliberate intent to exploit an opponent's lack of readiness.