hin1 jat1 faat3 ji4 dung6 cyun4 san1牽一髮而動全身牵一发而动全身

Jyutpinghin1 jat1 faat3 ji4 dung6 cyun4 san1

Yalehīn yāt fat yìh dungh chyùnh sān

Definition

Lit. pulling a single hair makes the whole body move (idiom)

neutralother

How it's used

This idiom is frequently used in professional or analytical contexts to warn against making impulsive adjustments to complex systems. It emphasizes that components are so tightly integrated that even a minor alteration triggers a chain reaction across the entire structure. Unlike casual expressions, it carries a weight of caution and strategic foresight.

Examples

ni1 go3 gai3 waak6 hin1 jat1 faat3 ji4 dung6 cyun4 san1 m4 hou2 lyun6 goi2 aa4

呢個計劃牽一髮而動全身，唔好亂改呀。

This plan affects the whole situation, don't change it randomly.

nei5 zi1 m4 zi1 ni1 go3 goi2 dung6 hai6 hin1 jat1 faat3 ji4 dung6 cyun4 san1 gaa4

你知唔知呢個改動係牽一髮而動全身㗎？

Do you know that this change affects the whole situation?

Common phrases

hin1 jat1 faat3 ji4 dung6 cyun4 san1 ge3 jing2 hoeng2

牽一髮而動全身嘅影響

the far-reaching impact of a minor change

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say something is important, but it specifically refers to the interconnectedness of parts rather than the overall significance of an object.