hei2 saai3 maa5起晒馬起晒马
Jyutpinghei2 saai3 maa5
Yalehéi saai máh
Definition
To gather all one's forces, allies, or resources in preparation for a fight or confrontation.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This expression originates from the imagery of horses being readied for battle, where they would stand up or become restless. It is used metaphorically to describe someone who is visibly preparing for a confrontation, whether physical or verbal. It carries a strong sense of sudden escalation or aggressive posturing.
Examples
That group of people all got ready to fight the moment they saw me.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe actual horses; it is strictly an idiom for human behavior. It is also quite informal and aggressive, so it is inappropriate for professional or polite settings.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
