hek3 leoi5 paa4 ngoi6吃裡扒外吃里扒外

Jyutpinghek3 leoi5 paa4 ngoi6

Yalehek léuih pàh ngoih

Definition

To betray or turn against one's own benefactor; to bite the hand that feeds.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of moral condemnation, specifically targeting someone who bites the hand that feeds them. It is frequently used in workplace or family contexts to describe someone who takes benefits from a group while secretly working to undermine its interests. The tone is harsh and accusatory, often used when someone feels personally betrayed by a close associate.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日hek3吃leoi5裡paa4扒ngoi6外，zan1真hai6係seon3信m4唔gwo3過。

He is always betraying those who support him, he really cannot be trusted.

nei5你dim2點ho2可ji5以hek3吃leoi5裡paa4扒ngoi6外，ceot1出maai6賣gung1公si1司gei1機mat6密？

How could you betray your own company and leak confidential information?

Common phrases

zing3正jat1一hek3吃leoi5裡paa4扒ngoi6外

a total traitor

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for betrayal, but it specifically implies a breach of trust by someone who is an 'insider' or a beneficiary of the group they are harming.